Peace in Palestine and reconciliation between the Arabs and the Jews were urged by Sir Herbert Samuel, former High Commissioner, and Lord Melechett, chairman of the Jewish Agency Council, in addresses before a meeting of the Friends of the Hebrew University here last night.
“The recent Palestine events have led many to acquiesce out of resentment in a policy of alienation, feeling that the two races between which events of such tragic significance had taken place, must draw apart in greater and greater degree,” Sir Herbert declared. He said he does not believe this should be, although he understands that this is the natural.
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(Continued from Page 1) tendency in the first moment of anger. “If we are to be led by our intelligence and not by our emotions, we must remember that the two races are in the same land and they must live together. It is the duty of thoughtful men of both races to adopt such measures as will promote reconciliation and good fellowship.” he declared.
Lord Melchett declared: “There has not been a single action taken by individual Jew or organization since the Mandate which has not been of benefit to the entire country and people. We developed industry, have given the land electricity and Jewry the world over has given financial assistance amounting to millions of dollars. As a matter of fact, if the Jews left Palestine, the country’s revenue would become bankrupt, educational facilities of the higher type would cease to exist, agricultural development with modern methods would no longer make progress, commerce would dwindle, industry would die out and the country would sink back to its state under the Turkish regime from which the British administration rescued it.
“What is the complaint made against us?” Lord Melchett asked. “That we acquired with good money land which for some time was worthless, that we introduced peaceful, industrious citizens to work there?”
Speaking of the Hebrew University, Lord Melchett continued: “In these days of trouble, grief, discouragement and depression, it is good to turn from the open, bleeding wounds of Israel in our beloved country to the spiritual and educational side of our work on Mount Scopus. Many thought our effort was premature, preferring that the money be devoted to more immediate economic needs. I always thought that we stamped and symbolized ourselves by having the courage to establish our own University. During my recent visit, I was really astonished to find important and interesting research in biology, postology and malaria going on, also the chemical department is doing useful work as well as the agricultural.
“There is not an educational institution, nor a research station organized by Palestine Jews which does not admit freely Arabs equally with Jews.
“The Jewish people in Palestine, although battered and buffeted. will stand together, regardless of division of opinion, class or origin as one solid phalanx. Their sufferings have united them,” he declared.
A resolution, proposed by Sir Mathew Nathan, declared: “The recent lamentable Palestine events encourage, rather than discourage our efforts to increase the activities and influence of the University and the hope is confidently expressed that enlightenment emanating from Mount Scopus will materially help improve the relations between Arabs and Jews. A scholarship in Arabic established largely through the generosity of Lord Melchett was announced by Sir Mathew.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
