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Title kind of says it all. Is the idea of creation a British Dominion of Israel possible and what conditions would make it sustainable? (Sustainable defined as the state apparatus’s security is assured without the deployment of non-domestic forces).

Ideas for the divergence:
In 1840 the Convention of London between European powers and Ottoman Empire over Egypt is more favourable to Egypt. This Convention would preserve the hereditary rule of Muhammad Ali Pasha in Egypt, Eyalet of Acre, and elements of Damascus Eyalet (the portions making up modern Israel). Egypt would remain nominally part of the Ottoman Empire. In 1841 the Convention is accepted by Egypt. Over the decades after the Convention, Egypt is gradually weakened and enters into debt. As a consequence of its weekend state its administrative capacity in what becomes Israel is weakened and stronger but not complete Ottoman control is established over it.


As part of the settlement ending the Crimean War (Treaty of Paris, 1856) the British Empire is granted the role of protector of the Jews in their traditional Homeland of Eretz Israel. Eretz Israel for the purposes of the Convention is the Sinai and Modern Israel (including West Bank and the Golan). Initially this would simply mean having a consul in Jerusalem which would intercede with local authorities on behalf of Jewish communities from time to time. This encourages Jewish immigration to Israel particularly as a response to the 1859, 1871, and other pogroms in Russia (the 1881- pogroms in particular contributes greatly to the Jewish population of Israel). The Ottomans welcome this, if for no other reasons then the Russian Empire is a traditional enemy and nominal Muslim control helps to appease local concerns. The British and French branches of the Rothschild Family in cooperation with the British Government also assist in this, the Rothschild’s by helping to finance settlement and business ventures while the government creates the Anglo-Jewish Agency for Israel by expanding its role. This would serve as a quasi-government for Jewish groups through facilitating community projects and running schools. In 1870, the Rothschild’s with the Anglo-Jewish Agency’s assistance purchases the Moroccan Quarter of Jerusalem to create greater access to the Western Wall; this is done with official Ottoman approval.


In 1875 the British Empire purchases ½ of the Suez Canal (Egypt’s stake in the Canal) and assumes control of ‘Israel (minus Sinai)’ as a nominal Condominium with the Ottoman Empire, and after its military intervention in 1882 in Egypt, it gains control of the Sinai. From 1882, Israel (including the Sinai) is considered nominally Ottoman but under full British administration (like Cyprus was). The agreement with the Ottoman Empire explicitly recognizes it as the homeland of the Jewish people and recognizes a ‘right of return.’ With Israel in practice a British colony the Anglo-Jewish Agency is disbanded and becomes the basis for the new civilian government. A census is conducted of Israel to identify religious and cultural groups in Israel. The now Israeli government continues to facilitate Jewish immigration and works particularly closely with Jewish, Christian, and Druze communities to build infrastructure and deliver services. Some British immigration also occurs. In 1885 a nominated advisory council is introduced for the protectorate, and in 1910 it becomes a legislative council.


At the start of WW1, like Cyprus, Israel is declared a formal Crown Colony. With transportations links firmly established to Egypt, the British military is able hold the colony and has a forward base of operations for operations against the Ottomans. There is a Muslim revolt during the war in support of the Ottoman Empire; the revolt is put down by the British military, Jews, and Druze. Post war there is a de facto population transfer between Israel and several states carved out of the Ottoman Empire. In 1920, Israel is declared a Dominion within the British Empire. During inter-war period heavy immigration from Europe ensures continued Jewish plurality if not majority of the Dominion's population. The Dominion itself would be defined as secular as would its legal system (no confessional system, secular legal system for personal law)


Supplementary question: could this scenario be feasible in an Imperial Federation context as well as on its own?
(I realize my ideas for pod are mostly pre 1900, yet I feel it still might fit better in this forum. If a mod wants to move it they may and I won't object)
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