Watch 1913: Seeds of Conflict

In this two-hour documentary, PBS brings us a provocative and in-depth exploration of the events leading up to one of the most pivotal moments in world history: the creation of the state of Israel. 1913: Seeds of Conflict traces the roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict back to the early 20th century, when a diverse population of Jews, Arabs, and Christians prospered in Palestine under the rule of the Ottoman Empire.

Through a combination of archival footage, expert interviews, and dramatic re-enactments, the documentary tells the story of how three key factors contributed to the explosive situation that ultimately led to the founding of the modern state of Israel: the rise of political Zionism, the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, and the machinations of Great Britain.

The documentary begins by introducing us to the three central figures who played a key role in the events leading up to 1917: Chaim Weizmann, Herbert Samuel, and Emir Faisal. Weizmann, a brilliant chemist and passionate Zionist, was the driving force behind the Balfour Declaration, which promised the Jewish people a national home in Palestine. Samuel, a British Jew and longtime Zionist, was appointed High Commissioner of Palestine after World War I and was responsible for implementing the Balfour Declaration. Faisal, the young leader of the Arab nationalist movement, had emerged as a powerful voice calling for Arab self-rule and a united Arab state.

Through interviews with historians and scholars, the documentary explores the origins of political Zionism and its proponents' vision of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. We learn about Weizmann's crucial role in securing British support for the Zionist cause and the challenges he faced in convincing his fellow Jews to immigrate to Palestine. We also hear from Arab experts on the complex history of the Arab world, including Faisal's efforts to create a united Arab state and his opposition to the Jewish national home.

The documentary then moves on to examine the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the role played by the British in shaping the political landscape of the Middle East. We learn how the British and French divided the region into spheres of influence and how they crafted a series of agreements that would come to shape the post-World War I world.

Throughout the documentary, we see how these three elements – political Zionism, the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, and British machinations – collided and created a situation of intense conflict and mistrust between Jews and Arabs. We see how early attempts at coexistence – such as the establishment of a Hebrew University in Jerusalem – were met with suspicion and resistance from Arab leaders. We also see how the British struggled to balance their promises to the Jews with their promises to the Arabs, and how the tensions between these two groups continued to escalate in the years leading up to World War II.

Throughout the documentary, viewers are treated to expert analysis and stunning archival footage, weaving together a complex and detailed picture of the origins of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We hear from prominent scholars and historians, including Israeli historian Benny Morris and Arab-Israeli journalist Khaled Abu Toameh, as well as from ordinary people whose lives were forever changed by the events of the early 20th century.

In all, 1913: Seeds of Conflict is a must-see documentary for anyone interested in the history of the Middle East, or in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. Its thoughtful and engaging exploration of the events leading up to the founding of the modern state of Israel offers a nuanced and detailed view of a pivotal moment in world history, and is sure to leave viewers with plenty to think about.

1913: Seeds of Conflict is a series that ran for 1 seasons (1 episodes) between and on PBS