Born 1887, Sir Alan Cunningham, who makes his mark as a combat proven British officer in beginning of WWII, leaves battle in 1942 to assume administrative positions within the British military. In late 1945, after numerous candidates turned down the job, Cunningham accepts the position of Seventh and last High Commissioner of Palestine. Faced with vehement Zionist opposition to British policies in Palestine, Cunningham uses force to deal with Zionist insurgencies against the British administration. By late 1947, after exploding tensions reach new highs between the Arab and Jewish communities in Palestine, the British hand the Palestine issue over to the UN. In doing so, Cunningham takes a decidedly pro-Arab and anti-Zionist stance in the last months of the mandate. His last day as High commissioner is May 14, 1948, the same day Israel proclaims her independence.
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