ABSTRACT
The closing stages of the Allied advance into Germany exposed the full horror of the Nazi concentration camps and the end of the war saw tens of thousands of Jews amongst the many homeless people in Europe. Mr Churchill saw no advantages in retaining the Mandate, which he considered a thankless task, and suggested handing Palestine over to the United States, if they would have it. But the Chiefs of Staff expected adverse Muslim reaction, which would damage Britain’s interests in the Middle East, in particular access to oil. They also foresaw that Egypt would soon call for the removal of the British Strategic Reserve in the Near and Middle East and that the next best base would be Palestine.
