ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how the Eleanor Roosevelt, as carriers of the influences, responded to the political events, debates and challenges concerning the Palestine dispute. The Roosevelts were limited by the strictures of international diplomacy and had to bow to British intentions, which triggered virulent reactions amongst their Jewish-American constituents, particularly in light of the tragedy befalling Jews in Europe. The Roosevelts were confronted with a dilemma, which demanded a choice between Zionist and Arab ultimatums. Zionist ambition was attractive to Eleanor Roosevelt; that the proposed national home offered sanctuary to the persecuted was, in her opinion, no less than the Jews of Europe deserved. Embedded in liberal culture, surrounded by many Jewish colleagues and friends, and mindful of the persecution emanating out of Hitler's Europe, Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt were inclined to favour Zionist claims on Palestine.
