William Tyler
English Arabists and Zionists
Summary
In this lecture, William Tyler explores the extraordinary history of English Arabs and Zionists. In the 19th and 20th centuries, many English travellers to Arab lands were captivated by its culture and became supporters of the Arab cause. These travellers included explorers, generals, academics, and Foreign Office officials. The roots of British Zionism trace back to the Puritans, who believed God ordained the return of Jews to Israel. Prime Minister Lloyd George and others went further, suggesting that Christ’s Second Coming depended on Jews being restored to their biblical lands. In this talk, William highlights figures such as Orde Wingate and Glubb Pasha.
William Tyler
William Tyler has spent his entire professional life in adult education, beginning at Kingsgate College in 1969. He has lectured widely for many public bodies, including the University of Cambridge and the WEA, in addition to speaking to many clubs and societies. In 2009, William was awarded the MBE for services to adult education, and he has previously been a scholar in residence at the London Jewish Cultural Centre.
No, I think the pro-Arab feeling is because of this, this belief in the noble Bedouin of the desert. If Christianity plays any role at all, it’s in that pro-Jewish feeling of Christ must come back to the, that Jews must come back to the Holy Land to allow Christ to come a second time. So that’s what I would say. Although, on the other hand, you are right, because the upper classes in Britain, mainly, if we’re talking about the period we’ve been talking about, were anti-Semitic. I was going to put an adverb in front of it and say casually anti-Semitic. Maybe I’m right or wrong to do that.