Arab Newspaper Praises Dr. Magnes and Says It Favors Reconciliation

The “Felestin,” a leading Arab paper, devoted considerable space in its last three issues to the Magnes controversy. Pointing out that feeling in Zionist circles is running high against Dr. Magnes and Dr. Hugo Bergmann, the paper asks whether the Arab-Jewish question will be settled by “more sober and more reasonable leaders like Magnes and Bergmann or will the advocates of peaceful and constructive policies be removed from the political arena?”

After reporting that the “Doar Hayom” demands Dr. Magnes’ immediate resignation as Chancellor, the “Felestin” declares, “this paper supports and always will support any organization or person. Jew or Arab, who strives for an honorable understanding and equitable solution of the Palestine problem, which would inevitably lead to the establishment of the rights of the majority and which recognized the rights and security of the minority.”

Commenting on Rabbi Sonnenfeld’s proclamation to his non-Jewish neighbors, the “Felestin” says, “we wholeheartedly support the points made in the proclamation, but with all due respect, we venture to draw the Rabbi’s attention to a certain section of his co-religionists who have the upper hand in settling the Jewish problem and who take very little heed to this revelation of the Torah, unless, of course, they consider Weizmann a righteous Messiah.”

The “Felestin” reprinted a recent interview with Albert Einstein which appeared in the Paris “L’Ocuvre,” stressing his reported words, “it is for us to seek peace and cooperation with the Arab people.” It also reprinted Karl Kautsky’s article in the Berlin “Vorwaerts.” in which he declared that the recent troubles in Palestine are a warning of the future.

Preceding issues of the “Felestine” revealed for the first time a slight tendency towards reconciliation but on Arab terms. “The salvation of Palestine is only attainable through a mutual understanding. With their plans and declarations. Jewish leaders such as Magnes and Bergmann are the only possible exponents for such an understanding. Unfortunately, these men and their organization are a small minority. It is up to them to work and preach among their own people and form a majority. It is for them to get the ardent Zionists away from the wild and fanatical ideas and ideals to a sober level of thinking and make them face the facts. No sane Arab will want to throw the Jews out of Palestine or to entirely suspend Jewish immigration nor begrudge the Jews or other Palestine citizens equal rights and privileges. We are all for a thorough understanding and an equitable solution, but above all, no sane Arab will ever allow preferential dominance against his nation to be granted to any other community in his own home.”