Religion, shared values, and history led American politicians to support the Zionist cause during the inter-war years. Presidents, politicians, and the American people supported the Zionist aspirations, although, it was only after the Second World War that the Americans became actively involved in Zionist affairs. During the inter-war years, the British government acted to fulfil the commitment it made in 1917 to help the Jews to establish a national home in Palestine. When the winds of war were blowing across Europe, the British began to back out of from the mandate and their commitments, and the Zionists turned to the United States for support. This marked a change in the Zionist attitude toward the United States – they wanted to see the United States extend its sponsorship of the Zionist enterprise. The ideological infrastructure for such a tutelage already existed; now the Zionists expected the Americans to act upon their ideology. During the war years, more promises were made than actions taken. However, when the war was over, and a new president, Harry S. Truman, occupied the White House, ideas inspired action, and President Truman acted to assist the Jews in attaining their goal of statehood.

According to the covenant of the League of Nations, the outside state in control of Arab territories was to shepherd it along to independence. Britain took Palestine on the understanding that it would promote a Jewish national home there. This commitment was viewed on the Arab side as inconsistent with the obligation to foster independence. The concern was that Britain would allow a major inflow of Jewish population from Europe that would erode the Arab majority. This was regarded as a new form of colonialism. On Britain’s side, it was argued that independence for Palestine and a Jewish national home were compatible.