Why did many Palestinian Arabs oppose Zionism and British policies in Palestine?

Palestinian Arab opposition to Zionism and British policies during the mandate period was rooted in the perceived betrayal of promises for independence and the existential threat posed by Jewish immigration and land acquisition.123

During World War I, Palestinian Arabs believed the British had promised them self-rule in exchange for their support against the Ottomans, as outlined in the Hussein-McMahon correspondence. However, the British simultaneously issued the Balfour Declaration, which supported the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine.4231

Throughout the mandate, opposition intensified due to:
* Immigration and Land: The British administration facilitated large-scale Jewish immigration and land purchases, which led to the displacement of Arab tenant farmers and threatened the economic livelihood of the Arab population.123
* Political Exclusion: Arabs rejected British proposals for governance, such as legislative councils, because they fell short of national independence and failed to reflect the Arab majority.12
* Fear of Displacement: Arabs increasingly viewed Zionist activities as a move toward establishing a Jewish state that would marginalize or replace the indigenous Arab population.123

These tensions frequently escalated into violence, culminating in the 1936–39 Arab Revolt.53