Page "History of Israel" Paragraph 82

During the 2nd World War, the Jewish Agency worked to establish a Jewish army that would fight alongside the British forces.

Churchill supported the plan but British Military and government opposition led to its rejection.

The British demanded that the number of Jewish recruits match the number of Palestinian Arab recruits but very few Arabs were willing to fight for Britain.

The refusal to provide arms to the Jews, even when Rommel's forces were advancing through Egypt in June 1942 ( intent on occupying Palestine ) and the 1939 White Paper, led to the emergence of a Zionist leadership in Palestine that believed conflict with Britain was inevitable.

In the meantime the Jewish Agency called on Palestine's Jewish youth to volunteer for the British Army ( both men and women ).

In June 1944 the British agreed to create a Jewish Brigade, that would fight in Europe.