Palestinians: masters of admiring other people’s work

Palestine, the early twentieth century: a land of sun-drenched fields, fragrant orange groves, and a population that mostly… watched. While Arab inhabitants went about their daily routines and political debates, small wonders of modernization emerged that would transform the entire Mandate territory. And who deserves the applause? Exactly: Jewish pioneers and organizations such as the Jewish National Fund (JNF), who purchased land, planted, built, and financed. 

Take Jaffa, the city of oranges. The world-famous Jaffa oranges became the basis for countless export products, from fresh fruit to preserves, and even the iconic Jaffa Cakes – known in Belgium as Pims cakes. These pastries were made using Jaffa orange jam and conquered shops from London to Hamburg and Paris. The orchards mostly stood on land legally purchased through the JNF or other Jewish organizations. Not stolen, not seized, just properly paid for. Palestinians could, of course, feel proud… especially until the first trucks loaded with oranges and cakes left the city and conquered the world, a triumph of innovation, marketing, and hard work—while the spectators could simply smile and say, “Look, that’s our land.” 

And then there’s Tel Aviv, founded in 1909. Thanks to the Ahuzat Bayit Company, it grew into a planned city with broad boulevards, sewage systems, street lighting, and an electricity network. Arab inhabitants could enjoy it, or quietly marvel at what progress looks like when someone else builds it. 

Electricity and water were other domains of Jewish ingenuity. In 1932, Pinhas Rutenberg built the hydroelectric power station at Naharayim – also known as the Rutenberg Hydroelectric Powerplant -, a technical masterpiece that supplied electricity to Tel Aviv, Haifa, and surrounding cities. Arab villages benefited too, although sometimes it was hard to understand why all those sparks and wires were so important. 

Education and healthcare followed the same pattern. The Technion in Haifa (1924) trained engineers who helped construct the Mandate’s infrastructure, while Hadassah in Jerusalem (1918, Henrietta Szold) provided modern medical care and trained physicians. Arab patients could take a seat in waiting rooms and incubators, while the hands that truly made the difference were Jewish. 

Communication? The Palestine Post, founded in 1932 by Zeev Jabotinsky and other Jewish pioneers, disseminated news and information throughout the Mandate. Arab readers could follow along, provided they spoke English and could afford a subscription. 

Transport and logistics were no less impressive. Palestine Airways (1934) operated flights between Tel Aviv, Haifa, and destinations across the region, while ports such as Haifa and Jaffa were modernized, export-ready, and efficiently managed. Arab residents could ride along or ride the pride of others, if you will. 

Even the financial sector advanced. The Bank of Palestine, founded by Jewish entrepreneurs, financed industrial projects, ports, agricultural cooperatives, and infrastructure. Arab businessmen could participate, provided they adhered to modern bookkeeping and financial discipline—something that was not always obvious. 

The kibbutzim deserve a special mention. Degania, founded in 1909, introduced collective farming, communal ownership, and cooperative labor—new concepts in the Middle East. Arab villages could observe these new methods, sometimes benefiting from improved agricultural techniques, though the true purpose often remained a matter of skeptical admiration. 

Industry flourished as well. Tnuva (1926) transformed dairy production, Angel Bakeries (1927) industrialized bread production, and cooperatives brought harbors and exports to international scale. All of this benefited the entire Mandate territory, including Arab inhabitants, who sometimes seemed to think it all happened by magic. 

The irony becomes especially clear in recent history. When Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005, Palestinians demonstrated how entrepreneurial they truly are: every agricultural installation, greenhouse, water pump, and irrigation system—carefully built and maintained—was destroyed. Progress achieved through Jewish effort literally leveled to the ground. An impressive display of entrepreneurship… if you define entrepreneurship as demolition rather than construction. 

Row after row of projects can be listed: from Jaffa’s oranges and Tel Aviv’s boulevards to the Naharayim power station and Hadassah hospitals. Modernization, technology, and the economy were the result of Jewish effort and vision. The Palestinians? They were present to enjoy, occasionally interfere, and contribute their own, uniquely special “help.” 

And as for the conclusion? The Arab population could enjoy the infrastructure or quietly marvel at what progress looks like when someone else builds it. Just as they now enjoy watching other countries continue to send them money. This way, they can rest comfortably on their laurels, while the world moves forward, full of Jewish innovation and determination.