Sensational reports that King Abdullah of Transjordan has just proposed a new “solution” of the Palestine problem under which Arab desert forces loyal to him would occupy substantial areas of Palestine with tacit British agreement, were heard here today.
According to those reports, which have been given a certain amount of credence here, Abdullah advanced this scheme when he called on Lt. Gen. Sir Evelyn Barker, retiring British commander in Palestine. The Transjordan puppet ruler is said to have proposed that his force of ” two battle-ready divisions ” sweep into Palestine and occupy most of the country except Jerusalem and the Maditerranean coast.
The British forces now in Palestine, numbering more than 100,000, would, according to Abdullah’s sensational proposal, remain “neutral” in the face of this friendly invasion and would pin down the Jewish “terrorist” forces to prevent them from offering resistance. The only opposition that could be expected would be from the die-hard Husseini faction, the followers of Haj Amin el Husseini, exiled Mufti of Jerusalem, whose family feud with the Hashimites, of which family Abdullah is a member, has existed for generations.
“CAPTURED” PALESTINE TERRITORY WOULD BE INCORPORATED INTO TRANSJORDAN
The territory to be occupied by Abdullah’s forces would, presumably, be insorporated into his Transjordanian kingdom. The remaining areas would eventually be proclaimed an autonomous Jewish territory, although the Negev–the southern desert–would be retained as a British possession.
Little or no opposition would be expected from the Arab states except possibly Syria and Lebanon, which fear Abdullah’s ambitions to rule a united Arab kingdom embracing those two countries and Palestine.
Providing that Abdullah’s occupation of Palestine was presented as a “fait accompli,” it is asserted, the scheme could be made palatable to the British public. Britain’s military position in the Middle East would be maintained by this “solution,” it is pointed out, since the British would remain in complete control of communications, would have free use of the Negev for air bases, and would have all of Abdullah’s territory for the garrisons and other installations they require following their withdrawal from Egypt.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
