Palestine: A Modern History (ص 44)

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Palestine: A Modern History (ص 44)

المحتوى

90 Deadlock: 1920-1923
attention. Furthermore, Samuel declared that he was prepared to
recognise any body of ‘gentlemen’ representing any important section
of the community, in the same manner as he had already given recogni-
tion to the Jewish National Assembly and under the same conditions,
namely, that no resolutions should be adopted or submitted that were
contrary' to the conditions of the Mandate.’?7 While the Palestinian
leaders refrained from accepting Samuel’s proposals, they responded
favourably to the prospect of a friendly personal relationship with the
High Commissioner and the political implications thereof.
A Feeling of Unsettlement
The revival of political agitation in the wake of the Haifa Congress
owed much to a prevalent feeling of unsettlement in. the area. The
victories:of Mustafa Kemal (Ataturk) inspired the belief that Turkey
would probably refuse to ratify the Peace Treaty thus bringing the issue
of the Mandate under fresh consideration. Then, there was the feeling
that an attempt will be made by the Arabs to expel the French from
Syria. In mid-January 1921 Deedes reported that even ‘responsible’
Palestinian Arabs’ firmly believed ‘that there is still a chance of getting
the Mandate changed:and that many British Statesmen and a portion of
the British Public desires that change’.”® In view of the many imponder-
ables and the ample room for agitation Deedes expressed his
apprehensions regarding the immediate political prospects:
I do not feel that there is‘much reason to fear the responsible
members of the discontented party; but the words and actions of the
irresponsible members are apt to be dangerous in an atmosphere
always more or less charged with electricity, especially at this time
of the year when we are approaching Easter.”?
£
This same feeling persisted after the text of the draft mandate was
reported in the local newspapers.”
The February Report gave an account of a movement to collect
signatures as a protest against the separation of Palestine from the rest
of a region: to which, it was contended, the country belongs geographi-
cally as well as ethnographically and ,historically. This movement,
among other things! reflected, ‘a renewed effort on thet part of Arab
Nationalists in Egypt, in Palestine and in Syria to achieve their ends by
cooperation’. The Report also gave accounts ofsincreased interest in the
question of Jewish immigration into Galilee brought about by the
attempts of the Haifa Congress to gain support for their resolutions.
| Deadlock: 1920-1923 91
In the neighbourhood of Beisan some anxiety and apprehension
have recently been expressed by the Arab population owing to an
unfortunate and unfounded impression having gained ground that
the Government intends to further the settlement of Jews in a
manner detrimental to the interests of the Arab population.*!
| The ownership of the Jiftlik (Imperial) Beisan lands issue had a
| direct bearing on the involvement of the fellahin in the political fight
‘against the pro-Zionist policy of the Government. The fears of the
| fellahin were genuine in view of the complications involved in their
rights to ownership and tenancy of the lands under question.
Churchill’s Cairo Conference
| On assuming responsibility for the Middle East Department,>? the
! Secretary of State for the Colonies, Winston Churchill,*? summoned his
} lieutenants and key British military, political and administrative staff in
tthe area to a Conference in Cairo.
| The Conference’s main aim was to review the British position and
® lay plans for future policy in the Middle East in the light of the French
f occupation of Syria and the unsettled conditions of Trans-Jordan
pand Mesopotamia.
& As far as Palestine was concerned the Conference considered that
fHMG was responsible under the terms of the Mandate for establishing a
@ cational home for the Jewish people. In a.Memorandum drawn up by
Middle East Department’ presented to the Cairo Conference, it was
pbserved that the Palestine Administration was being conducted ‘in
astrict accordance with the terms of the Mandate, and has been attended
apy the happiest results’.*
& The Conference recommended that Trans-Jordan should be consti-
uted an Arab province of Palestine under Prince ‘Abdullah, Faisal’s
@rother, responsible to the High Commissioner. It would not be
included in the administrative system of Palestine, and therefore the
Fionist clauses of the Mandate would not-apply. In return for all this
d the promise of financial assistance, ‘Abdullah pledged — after
iterviews with Churchill in Jerusalem — to respect British.nternational
fommitments: to the French in Syria and to the Zionists in Palestine.>5
# Soon after Churchill’s intention to visit Egypt, and perhaps
Re estine, became known, the Executive Committee of the, Haifa
pongress announced the appointment of a deputation that, would
Proceed to Egypt and lay before Churchill the grievances of the
a lestinian ,:Arabs. Despite the Administration’s advice to await: the
4
A a a
samen

تاريخ

1978

المنشئ

Abdul-Wahhab Kayyali

مجموعات العناصر

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