16/06/2026
Today, many people argue that Israel should not exist because its modern borders emerged in the aftermath of World War II. However, this argument often overlooks an important historical reality: most modern states in the Middle East and North Africa were formed, recognized, or received their present borders during the 20th century.
Before that, much of the Arab world was ruled by the Ottoman Empire (1517–1918). After its collapse following World War I, many territories came under British and French control through League of Nations mandates and protectorates. Following World War II, these territories gradually became independent states.
Former Ottoman Territories
• Israel – British Mandate for Palestine → State of Israel (1948)
• Jordan – Ottoman Empire → British Mandate (Transjordan) → Independence (1946)
• Iraq – Ottoman Empire → British Mandate → Independence (1932)
• Syria – Ottoman Empire → French Mandate → Independence (1946)
• Lebanon – Ottoman Empire → French Mandate → Independence (1943)
• Saudi Arabia – Ottoman influence over parts of Arabia → Unified Kingdom (1932)
• Yemen – Ottoman Empire in the north, British influence in the south → modern Yemen (1990)
Former British Protectorates
• Kuwait – British Protectorate → Independence (1961)
• Bahrain – British Protectorate → Independence (1971)
• Qatar – British Protectorate → Independence (1971)
• United Arab Emirates – British Trucial States → Federation (1971)
• Oman – British sphere of influence → modern independent Sultanate
Former Italian, French and Spanish Colonies
• Libya – Ottoman Empire → Italy → Independence (1951)
• Algeria – France → Independence (1962)
• Morocco – France and Spain → Independence (1956)
• Tunisia – France → Independence (1956)
• Mauritania – France → Independence (1960)
• Djibouti – France → Independence (1977)
• Somalia (Arab League member) – Italy and Britain → Independence (1960)
Former Anglo-Egyptian Territory
• Sudan – Anglo-Egyptian rule (Britain and Egypt) → Independence (1956)
Arab States Today
The 22 members of the Arab League are:
Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
The Historical Reality
The overwhelming majority of today’s Arab states did not exist in their current form before the 20th century. Their borders were shaped by the collapse of empires, British and French mandates, colonial administration, international agreements, and independence movements.
Israel is therefore not unique in having modern internationally recognized borders established during the 20th century. The same is true for most of its Arab neighbors.
History should be understood in its entirety, not selectively.
