Progressive Arabs Organizing Government on Basis of U.N. Partition Decision

A movement has started among progressive Arab leaders to establish an Arab Government is Palestine in line with the U.N. partition decision of last November, it was learned hose today, The Arabs, whose headquarters is in Nazareth, are prepared to recognize the legality of partition and to collaborate with the Israeli Government in all activities, including the joint economic activity as visualized in the U.N. partition decision.

The members of the movement are said to be opposed equally to the ex-Mufti of Jerusalem and King Abdullah of Transjordan. It is reported that the man most likely to head such a provisional Arab Government if it comes into existence is new negotiating with Israeli leaders. The Arabs hope that a majority of the member nations of the U.N. will extend them recognition as the official Palestine Arab Government.

Meanwhile, it was reported in informed circles here that the Arab League, which by all standards should be the most potent political force in the Middle East, is facing disunity and disruption. The personal rivalries of the Arab rulers, the cost of the Palestine war and the losses suffered in the conflict are said to be responsible for the state of the League.

Disunity became apparent during the recent six weeks of protracted bargaining when the Arabs tried to organize a provisional government for Palestine. During the late stages of the negotiations, King Abdullah conferred with King Farouk of Egypt and ostensibly reached agreement on the disposition of territory and political power. But the newly-formed Arab Government Council for Palestine was a slap in the face to Abdullah. The Council President, Ahmad Hilmi Pasha, was the only strong Abdullah supporter. The two most powerful positions–Public Security and National Economy–went to Jamal EL Husseini and another relative of the Mufti. Two other pro-Mufti Arabs were given prominent positions.

Simultaneously, Abdullah was confronted with the vexing problem of the loss of his hold on local administrations. When the Arab Legion entered Palestine, Abdullah sent administrators to govern the occupied areas. Short of funds, he told them to "live off the land." That was a blunder. Officials plundered their assigned areas. Meanwhile, thousands of Palestinian refugees from the Jewish areas, unable to get food, housing or medical attention, demonstrated against Abdullah in Nablus and other Arab centers.

IBN SAUD TURNS DOWN IRAQ AND SYRIAN DEMANDS FOR OIL SANCTIONS

The League’s disunity was strikingly shown at its Political Committee’s meeting in Lebanon nearly two weeks ago. During discussions of the U.N. Security Council’s truce demands, the Syrian and Iraqi Premiers suggested that the Arabs consider counter-sanctions against Britain and the United States, including the cancellation of oil concessions.

The Saudi-Arabian representative, according to reports, bluntly told the meeting that King Ibn Saud had never committed himself to any oil sanctions, and suggested that Arab militarists examine their gasoline reserves before taking action which would close down refineries and leave Arab armies without fuel. Iraq’s Premier reportedly said nothing but it was obvious that Iraq is in a position similar to Saudi Arabia, whose entire economy is based on dollars from oil concessions, and Transjordan, which is a going concern only because of British subsidies.