A Coherent Inconsistency: Italian Cultural Diplomacy in Palestine, 1918–1938

Abstract

While following a broad chronology divided between Italy in the liberal era and later under the fascist regime, this chapter attempts to present an overview of Italian cultural activities and their various purposes and development. During the liberal era, Italian cultural policies were for the most part designed to target the needs of Italian communities. While the early phase of fascist rule was essentially a continuation of the previous regime, the 1930s marked a major shift in the understanding and promotion of cultural policies in the Middle East, especially in Palestine. This chapter will show how the fascist regime inconsistently supported both the Arabs and the Zionists in its quest to challenge the British.