Palestine: A Modern History (ص 49)

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Palestine: A Modern History (ص 49)

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a
100 Deadlock: 1920-1923
— peasants, beduins and the unedueated —.and their discovery of their
power to resist and obstruct the Government was an important new
factor to consider. Furthermore, the Arabs possessed another weapon
against fhe Government, namely ,-that of passive. resistance. Should the
British Government snub the Delegation, Samuel warned that the tur-
banned class — the Muslim. religious leaders, who had hitherto been
‘mere spectators’ — would, step in to take the place of the politicians in
leading agitation and rebellion against the Government’s policy.
The conclusion is that a serious attempt must be madé t6 arrive-at an
understanding with the opponents to the Zionist policy, even at the
cost of considerable sacrifices. The only alternative is a policy of
coercion, which is wrong in principle and likely to prove unsuccess-
ful in practice.” “
An understanding with the Delegation was not only urgent and
necessary, Samuel added, but was also ‘possible. Speaking of the
members of the Delegation, he reassured the Colonial Secretary, ‘I aim
informed that their present attitude is by no means uncompromising’.
Despite the upholding of Martial Law in the district of Jaffa and
the arming of the Jewish Colonies, the resumptiun of immigration
produced some effervescence ‘and the boatmen’at the Port- (of Jaffa)
have given ‘much trouble in connection with the landing of Jewish
travellers’. Nonetheless, Samuel expetted the country to remain
quiet so’ long ds the Delegation was in England.
. t
Meantime certain sections are proceeding with the formation of a
more moderate party which, while not concealing:fts dislike of the
Zionist Policy, emphasises rather the need for domestic reform,
particularly, iri the interests of the population of the villages.”
The idea of co-operating with a Government committed to a JNH
policy was not altogether new among, a section -of the political
notability. In May 1921, the Mayors of Jerusalem, Tilkarem and Jaffa,
the Muftis of:Acre and Safad and the Qadiof Jerusalemereceived British
decorations ‘for services rendered in Palestine’. Furthermore, the battle
over the Muftiship renewed and intensified old family feuds,
particularly between the Nashashibis and the Husseinis. Zionist efforts
and morey to promote discord and. disunity among thé Palestinian
political leaders constituted a contfibuting factor to the idea of a
‘moderate party’. In a letter to the Zionist Executive, Eder had the
Deadlock: 1920-1923 . 101
following to report;
Arabs. I am still in negotiation with Arabs. There are various moves
on. If I had money something might stilt be done. .. There isjust a
epossibility of being able to,send a second delegation in opposition
to the first’
» Neither a moderate party,.npr a second delegation were necessary
at that stage, from the British point of view. The delegates were
showing signs of eagerness to dome to,,an agreement with the
Government and hinted that-they may even agree to an implicit accept-
ance of the Balfour Declaration in principle.” ,
; The Delegation’s modetation, however, did, not represent ‘the
political mood of the population. A confidential Government report
assessing the political atmosphere in July 1921 spoke at length about
waning Government prestige, public insecurity and the explosiveness of
the,whole situation: i
¥ £
There is a consensus of opinion that a rising cannot be postponed
much beyond the return of the Delegation from Europe should they
come back empty handed.” a
} :
The report concluded that ‘nothing’'short of a modification of the
Jewish policy and the establishmenti of some form of proportional
representation will ease thé situation’.
After a short. visit'to Cairo, the Delegation went to Rome where they
were received in audience by:the Pope:who expressed sympathy with
their cause. They then proceeded to London where they found out that
Parliament was :siot in session.sThree members of the Delegation
teturndd -to*Geneva to -put. the »Palestine. Arab case before the League
of Nations and protest\against the Zionists clauses.in‘the draft Mandate.
Thesé delegates also participated in a coordinated .general Arab
propaganda effort in Geneva.” On their return to England they
lauinched.a general propaganda campaign and engaged ‘the services of an
Advertising and Press Agency’.” .
One- day before Churchill received the first memorandum from the
Arab Delegation, he raised ‘the-Palestine Question before the Cabinet:
' ta Mw .
The situation in <Palestirie causes: me perplexity and anxiety. The
whole country is in a fermgnt..The Zionist policy is profeundly
unpopular svith all except the Zionists. Both Arabs and lews are

هو جزء من

Palestine: A Modern History

تاريخ

1978

المنشئ

Abdul-Wahhab Kayyali

مجموعات العناصر

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