Colonial Capitalism and Rural Class Formation (ص 312)
غرض
- عنوان
- Colonial Capitalism and Rural Class Formation (ص 312)
- المحتوى
-
workers shut down large sections of the economy. In April of that
year, 50 Arab workers at the Iraqi Petroiium Company went on strike
for higher wages and improved labour conditions. In a show of
solidarity, 90 other workers from the mechanical section of the I.8.C
joined their strike. Later, they were also joined by the electricians
and depot workers who made up about 130 workers. According to one
British report, the strike of the I.P.C spread to many other places.
Over 500 workers, mostly Arabs in the Railway and Harbour sectors went
on strike during the same period. (61)
Labour organizations contributed substantially to the growth of
class awareness among the Arab workers. Through literacy campaigns and
the establishment of special committees to relieve distressed peasants
and unemployed workers, labour organizations during the 1930s began to
attract large sections of the Palestinian working population. (62)
Working class influence was best demonstrated in the strong
alliance they formed with the fallaheen during the 1936 revolution. In
an unprecedented move, demands were, for the first time, raised
against the indigenous ruling bourgeoisie. Throughout most of the
revolution, peasants refrained from paying taxes or tithes. They
burned large estates and in 1937 peasants and workers gained control
of a large part of central and northern Palestine. (63)
Despite the Zionist attempts at segragating them from their Jewish
counterparts and the harrassment of the Labour Guards, Arab workers
demonstrated a clear understanding of their political environment.
Class solidarity across national lines, i.e., between Arab and Jewish
workers was attempted more than once during the 1920s. In 1924 Jewish
and Arab Workers in the Railway sector formed together their first
298
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. - تاريخ
- ١٩٨٩
- المنشئ
- Nahla Abdo-Zubi
Contribute
Not viewed