The Arab Executive met yesterday and discussed a reply to the Inquiry Commission’s report which it is proposed to send to the High Commissioner for submission to the Colonial Office and to the Arab delegation now in London, the “Morning Post” correspondent cables from Jerusalem. The reply is not yet published but a trustworthy resume of it is available.
According to this resume, the Arab Executive expresses surprise that the Arabs were found to be the first to begin the disorders “in view of evidence clearly proving that the first casualty
was an Arab.” The reply admits that the discontentment was against the Zionist party and not against the Jewish community as such nor against British authority.
Sir Herbert Samuel and Lord Plumer, former High Commissioners, are accused of being pro-Zionist and of ignoring the Balfour Declaration with reference to the safeguarding of the civil and religious rights of the non-Jewish population. The Arabs recall the excessive number of immigrants permitted to enter by Sir Herbert “resulting in unemployment and the support of Jewish paupers by Arab taxpayers.”
Satisfaction is expressed that the Commission “recognized the hardship caused the fellah by the sale of lands.” The demand for self-government is insisted on as being in accordance with MacMahon pledges, the Mandate and article 22 of the Covenant of the League of Nations. The reply also says that the Arabs will continue to resist with all their power the Balfour Declaration, “because when it was made the British had no political power in Palestine, the population was not consulted and the experiment, as it was called by Lord Balfour, proved a failure.” Now is the time to abolish it, says the Arab Executive, “Garrisons won’t secure peace.” Snell is severely criticised for forming a separate opinion. The Arabs rely on their delegation’s explaining the Arab cause in London and are confidently expecting that following an understanding with Egypt and Mesopotamia they will obtain the abolition of the Balfour Declaration, the arrest of Zionist immigration and a form of parliamentary government with Arabs and Jews represented according to population.
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