At the outbreak of the war Palestine contained, according to reliable
estimates, about 100,000 Jews, some of whom were economically
independent agriculturists, but the great majority of whom were aged
pilgrims dependent upon their relatives and the good-will offerings of
their pious co-religionists in Europe. The war cut them off completely
both from the markets of Europe and from their relatives and friends;
nearly the entire Jewish population was thus left destitute. Their
position was further aggravated by the severity with which Turkey, upon
her entrance into the war as an ally of the Central Powers, treated
the nationals of hostile countries. About 8,000 Jews who declined to
become Turkish subjects were either expelled or departed voluntarily.