Palestine: A Modern History (ص 63)

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Palestine: A Modern History (ص 63)

المحتوى

132 The Lull: 1923-1929
party emerged at this point)the Peasants” Party, which was regarded. in
Arab nationalist circles as a.Zionist creation, a result of Kalvarisky’s
efforts. in particular. When the leaders of the National Party left the
Palace whereKing Hussein ‘had. received them ‘some youths and, small
boys shouted at them, “‘down:‘with the traitors ‘down with the
Zionists”. and began to,stone them’.®
The political platform of thé. nationalist movement was intreasingly
stressing the demand for a national government: “Thiszidea:is given
priority evén to tHe ‘abolition ofthe Balfour Declaration.,Cabinets have
been discussed and ministerial candidates nominated’.?
The, inability of the traditional leadership to articulate the demands
of the Palestinians:in any effective manner gave rise to,criticismn.of ‘the
obsolete«methods and interested-motives,of the old school’."° The old
schgol, however, were determined not to lose power. The Husseinis
took precautionary measures to preserve their hegemony-oyer thetwo
most important Muslim positions: in, Palestine, namely,.the Muftiship
and the Presidency of the Supreme Muslim Council, in the event of
protests being raised against the union-of the two posts in the person of
‘Hajj Amin. oon “
‘Despite the continued supremacy of the traditional leadership, the
educated ‘young bloods’ were: reported to be gaining ground. In a
meeting ;of--the Executive Committee, held with a view .to issuing,a
summons for a fresh Arab.Congress, the political inactivity .of the
Committee was severely criticised: =
i i
The dominating note of the.debates appears to have been dissatisfac-
tion with the ‘old’ party, whose maintenance of family interests and
general incapacity were héld up to ridicule by the ‘intellectuals’.
THese in their‘tum were characterised by Ismail. Bey al-Husseini as
: Bolsheviks but, nevertheless, succeeded in. dbtaining the lead.
' 4
The .proposed Congress failed to materialise despite the efforts of the
visiting ‘Tunisian leader, ‘Abdul.‘Aziz al-Tha‘ ‘alibi torpromote unity
‘among the ranks of the Palestiniar political leadership. Family dissen-
sions and personal interests predominated: ‘¢
In both Jerusalem and Jaffa family jealously is .aiding political
opposition: in starting a campaign against the respective Municipali-
ties for their chief support of Government policy.’?
The disputes between the parties persisted leading to the indefinite
f The Lull: 1923-1929 133
F postponement of the Arab Congress. ‘Fhe Arab-Exécutive’s attempt to
@ meet Jamal Husseini’s condition for resuming ‘office — i.e. adequate
f funds — was nbt a total success. The (Agricultural) Peasants’ Party,
though iriconsequential, was , reported ‘to be negotiating for Zionist
support and the National Party was reported ‘busy with village
213 + ye
propaganda’.
é
4 A Bone of Contention
7 Jamal Husseini’s -activities, and the efférts of the Supreme Muslim
7 Council failed to put an end to internal divisions or to enhance the
: standing of the Arab Executive. What brought a flicker of nationalist
e activity was a pfoposed transfer of'large areas of land, in¢luding villages,
@ from-+the Sursuq family (absentee Lebanese landlords) to Jewish groups,
: and the bickfiring of the activitiés of the Peasants” Party. As a reaction
4 to the latter’s efforts'a Muslim-Christian Séciety branch was established
at Beisan. The Acting District’ Governdi of Haifa deplored the fact
vot
that Colonel Kisth~ and Mr. Kalvarisky should imagine’ that the
future ‘of the polity lies in the hands of those ho attempt to create
at favourable attitude of mind’ through: 'the ageficy of promises’ ‘of
fihaicial help.!* wos
q f
w
Land sales continued to be the main political issue and it was expressly
-* suggested that the proposed Conlgtess'shoald devote’ all its afténtion to
® the formation Ofva company for Buying Arab lands, which would
4, otherwise be sold tS the Jews. 'The sale of five villages, during
» Septémber 1924, roused public feeling arid “évery effort, is being made
' to prevent it becoming effective’:
The departure of the High Commissioner for Geneva spurred the
Arab Executive into submitting a comprehthSive memorandum to the
ba Leagtie of Nations attacking the policy of Government. The final’
: sentence of the lofg' meinorandum summéd up the Arab demand irt the
:- following words: .
The establishment in Palestiné*df a National Constitutional Govern-
ment in’ which’ the two Corhmunities, Arab‘ and Jewish, will ‘be
répresented: in‘propdition to théir nurnber’as they éxisted Before’ the
application of the Ziorlist Policy.’
+ ' t
A proposal to send a delegation to Geneva fell to the ground’ for
flack of funds. A préss campaign, howé¥er urging Yeconciliation’ between
~
asim. =
=
dla
Be 2
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تاريخ

1978

المنشئ

Abdul-Wahhab Kayyali

مجموعات العناصر

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