Palestine: A Modern History (ص 58)

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Palestine: A Modern History (ص 58)

المحتوى

118 Deadlock: 1920-1923
the processions the police came in contact with the crowds when
attempting to arrest a number of marchers who were shouting
provocative slogans.
Many were wounded, others were arrested, and the incident was
looked upon as an example of police brutality. Protests were received
from all parts of Palestine, and the incident gave rise to a fresh wave of
ill-feeling against the Government.
The approaching Nebi Musa celebrations provided an opportunity
for the’Executive Committee to force the hand of the Government by a
display of militancy. Instead they devised ‘general arrangements for the
control of the crowds and of the processions’: Earlier on Jamal Husseini,
Secretary’ of the Executive Committee, was reported to have told
Deetles, in a private interview, that there were two alternative methods
for the attainment of full political rights in Palestine:
\
either by constitutional means or by revolution; that the first was to
be preferred though the second would give them what they justly
claimed in six mofths. '7?
In the following month Jamal Husseini had an interview with a
member of the Administration during which he reported that pressure
from many quarters was being exerted with the object of convening the
Arab Congress and of defining and laying down the attitude to be
adopted by the country at large towards the Government. Furthermore,
A strong body of opinion was in favour of non-payment of taxes as
the next step to be taken without making any more appeals to
England and the British Goveriment. He himself, he said, was not in
favour of plunging into a non-payment policy. He preferred to make
another appeal to England.’™
‘Following the successful‘ Arab boycott of the elections Samuel
announced the suspension ofthe Legislative Council clauses of the
Constitution and proposed to establish a new Advisory Council. 135 The
Exécutive Committee took strong exception: to the new measure and
maintained that nothing but more chaos without the least benefit
could result from it.
During the month of May, pressure by the Executive Committee was
exerted on the nominees for the Advisory Council to refuse to serve.
The Arab membérs were faced with popular agitation and after hesita-
tion had to resign before Samuel’s set date for the Council’s first sitting.
Deadlock: 1920-1923 119
A telégram from King Hussein to the Arab Executive Committee
dated: 17, May caused the circulation, of .,amours, that the Balfour
Declaration had*been revoked? Therafelegram was paraphrased and
published by the Arab Executive, accompanied by, advice to the people
to avoid anything that might disturb peace and transquility in Palestine.
A weekly jJlater, the Arah Executive Committee resolved ¢o, postpone
convening the Sjxth Arab Palestine Congress until afterthe publication
of Hussein’s treaty with Britain, better known as the Anglo-Hijaz
Treaty. 2
a
The Sixth Congress
The Sixth Palestine Arab Congress was held in Jaffa between 16 and
20 June 1923, under the chajrmanship of Musa Kazem. The Anglo-Arab
Treaty; one of the major topids of the Congress, was rejected and
declared to ber:cgntrary to the rights andinterests of the Arabs of
Palestine. Furthermore, it was résolved ‘that.a new Arab Delegation,
again. headed by Musa Kazem, proceed to London immediately and
contact members of Parliament and the Colonial Office before the new
Treaty was definitely signed.
The other major issue that preoccupied the Congress was:’the
question of non-payment of taxes to the-Government.«The, discussion
on this vital issue, which preoccupied public opinion, before the,
Congress was convened, was opened by Jamal,Husseini, who argued in a
lengthy and well reasoned speech for the adoption of a policy of.non-
payment of taxes. The Government he said obtained taxes and distri-
buted them to Zionist Societies and Jewish immigrants. Owing to
Zionist pressure the Government refrained from’ extending agricultural
loans to the Arabs thereby causing the economic death of the fellah.
Thg High Commissioner was granting lands and concessions.to the Jews
without consulting. the Arabs. He concluded ,by -specifying that the
Economic Committee should consider the non-payment of taxes on the
basis of the principle ‘No taxation without representation’.
‘In the Economic Committee sharp diffgrences-of opinion arose, and
and it was decided to refer the matter to the Executive Committee who
‘should study the question of refusing to pay taxes to the Government
and put it into, force when the occasion arises’.'** Opposition to this
resolution was expressed in the general-meeting on the basis.that it was
impossible to implement this measure without causing a revolution and
in a country as small and poor as Palestine it was futile to hope’that 4
revolution against the British Government would succeed.'*”
BE ae oh Ug eo SE pO a en mis “Wn a aurea! asian ee
“ a we ila, te
A Aenean Ry Sl

هو جزء من

Palestine: A Modern History

تاريخ

1978

المنشئ

Abdul-Wahhab Kayyali

مجموعات العناصر

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