Palestine: A Modern History (ص 43)

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عنوان

Palestine: A Modern History (ص 43)

المحتوى

88 Deadlock: 1920-1923
fall of the ‘Arab regime’ in Damascus in July 1920 was a severe blow to
the Palestinian Arab national movement that had repercussions on the
orientation afd outlook of that.movement. The sense of identity was
irreparably damaged, and an important source of backing was suddenly
cut. The Palestinians were left alone in an arena where the balance of
power was hopelessly tipped in favour of their determined enemies.
The proposed Conference was charged with the arduous task of devising
a strategy for the new situation.
The Third Palestine Arab Congress was held in Haifa on 13
December 1920, and was attended by representatives of the Muslim-
Christian Associations and Societies from almost every part of
Palestine, under the presidency of Musa Kazem Husseini. In the resolu-
tions of the Congress the participants affirmed that Palestine was
included in the Arab Kingdom which Britain promised to, recognise in
the Hussein-McMahon correspondence. They declared, their .dissatisfac-
tion with ‘the present form of government in that it does not satisfy gheir
wishes and fails tq safeguard their interests’. The manifesto of the
Congress pointed out, in a somewhat circumspect manner, that the
Government was illegal since it exercised ‘the power of legislation
without a representative Council and before the final decision of the
League of, Nations is given’.2?> They objected to the,,Government’s
recognition ‘of the Zionist Organisation as an official body, of Hebrew
ag an, official language and oft the use of. the Zionist, flag, and: to
admitting Zionist immigrants. The Advisory Council was condemned
as ‘a false attempt to’show that there exists in Palestine acouncil with
legislative powers aepresenting the population’. Furthermore, .the
Congress contended that too many Zionists were appointed to various
offices..of Government. The manifesto concluded by spelling out the
three; ‘doctrines’ or ‘National Charter’.of the Arab National Movement
in Palestine:
(i) The condemnation of the Zionist policy which embodies the
establishment of a National Home for the Jews,:based upon the
Balfour Declaration. we
(ii) The non-acceptance of the principle of Jewish immigration.
(iii) The establishment of a National representative, Government.
¢ te
The Congress elected an Executive Committee of moderate
Palestinian notables, headed by Musa Kazem, and entrusted it with the
execution of the resolutions until the following Congress was convened.
The Congress, ,although clearly anti-Zionist, was quite moderate
| Deadlock: 1920-1923 89
vis-a-vis the British government. The three ‘doctrines’ did not challenge
the Mandate outrightly, but rather concentrated on objecting against
the inclusion of the Balfour Declaration in its articles.
A state of excitement and agitation in Palestine prevailed during
December and early January. As a Congress of the Muslim-Christian
Societies it was representative of the elements that had assumed the
leadership of these Societies from 1918 onwards; namely, town and
village propertied notables,”* merchants and a minority of middle class
intellectuals. National unity meant the lowest common denominator in
the anti-Zionist camp, and the. composition of the Executive
Committee was bound to reflect that. The absence of any mention of
independence and unity: with Syria was a significant omission that can
only be explained in the light of the French occupation of Syria.
The demands of the Congress were not spared criticism by the
younger and more vigorous elements. An article by ‘Isa al-‘Isa on the
' Haifa Congress concluded by saying that the demands of the Congress
were not radical enough.?® +
Moderate as the resolutions and the leadership of the Haifa Congress
were, the government maintained that the delegates were appointed by
small groups of people and refused to sacknowledge them as being
representative of the population. Thereupon, the organisers of the
_Congress felt compelled to vindicate their representative character and
‘launched a wide-spread successful campaign to demonstrate general
. endorsement of the resolutions and leadership of the Congress.”° The
agitation which ensued, with public meetings and leaflets, etc., helped
i stiniulate renewed daily interest in politics and concern for the future
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H among the Palestinians, which inevitably. resulted in the revival of
is tension in the country.
In an attempt to allay growing apprehensions, as well as to establish
‘ % personal relations with the leaders of the opposition, Samuel invited
§ ;Musa Kazem and five of his political associates to Government House to
. discuss with him — in a private capacity — ‘the questions about which
qtheir minds were exercised’. Musa Kazem.‘mentioned the fears of the
yeommunity in regard to Mr Balfour’s statement and Jewish immigra-
ition. He also raised the question of representative government’. In the
#éourse of his reply Samuel made it clear that it was not within his
4SOmpetence to discuss the policy laid down by HM Government and
i Mthe Balfour Declaration, but rather it was his duty to carry out these
# Policies. However, Samuel pointed out, it was within his competence to
ve effect to the second part of the Balfour Declaration. The question
eof the election of municipalities was already receiving his close
ee ee ory
SOR AER HO i NRA EI, FO GE i Mt ae Ne

هو جزء من

Palestine: A Modern History

تاريخ

1978

المنشئ

Abdul-Wahhab Kayyali

مجموعات العناصر

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