Arab Press Voices Concern at Formation of Jewish Brigade by Britain

Arab press comment on Britain’s decision to establish a Jewish brigade group is more moderate than might have been expected, but editorials voice the fear that creation of a Jewish force will endanger Arab aspirations in Palestine.

The newspaper "Falastin" after declaring that the Arabs are "unconcerned" whether a Jewish army is formed, goes on to challenge the basis for the creation of such a force. "If an army is essentially based on the national idea," Falastin asks, "what is the nation or homeland upon which the Jewish Army is based. If the answer is Palestine, then why is it called ‘Jewish’ when Palestine is the homeland of the Arabs as well as the Jews? If it is a spiritual homeland which embraces it, or Jewry, what does a spiritual homeland want with any army?"

The newspaper Adifaa expresses the fear that "Jews have two motives in mind; First is the war against Hitler, while the second is of a political nature, the affects of which will appear at the peace conference to influence Anglo-American public opinion. It is the political more than the emotional aspect of the brigade which interests the Arabs," the paper concludes.

Meanwhile, the pan-Arab unity conference being held in Alexandria is being watched closely by both Jewish and Arab groups here. Although Palestine Arabs are not officially represented at Alexandria because of their failure to agree on a single delegation, it was learned here that Musa el Alami, prominent Arab leader, has gone there as an observer and unofficial representative of Palestine Arab interests.

The president of the Egyptian Zionist organization, Leon Castro, is attacked in the Cairo newspaper Al Balagh, organ of the government Wafd Party, for allegedly criticizing the efforts by Premier Nahas Pasha of Egypt to form a pan-Arab union as a betrayal of Egyptian independence. Castro has issued a denial charging that his statements had been misrepresented. Meanwhile, Rene Cattauiby, president of the Cairo Jewish community, attacked Castro asserting that his views are not those of the Egyptian Jews.