Einstein Proposes Secret Arab-jewish Council to Settle Palestine Question

The full text of the letter from Dr. Albert Einstein to Azmi El Nashashibi, editor of the English section of the Arab newspaper “Felestin,” in which Dr. Einstein suggests the formation of a secret council of Jews and Arabs with four representatives of each, independent of any political body to solve the Palestine problem, follows;

“I was very much pleased with your letter, which proves to me that there is good on your side for both of our peoples and for a worthy solution of the prevailing difficulties. I believe that the difficulties are more psychological than actual and are solvable if both sides will bring to bear honest good-will. The present situation is therefore not favorable because the Jews and the Arabs stand before the mandatory as conflicting parties. This unworthy state of affairs can be changed if we among ourselves can find proposals for uniting both parties.

“I tell you my own proposal, which I have discussed with no one, and which in my private opinion would result in a change from these disagreeable conditions. I would form a secret council to which there would be delegated four Jews and four Arabs, independent of any political body. Each side would send a medical man elected from the medical profession, a lawyer elected by lawyer, a laborer elected by the trade unions and an ecclesiast elected by ecclesiastics.

“These eight would meet once weekly and pledge themselves not to represent the interests of their profession or nation but to the best of their knowledge, conscientious feeling for the purpose of the prosperity of the entire ppoulation. The discussion at these meetings must be absolutely secret. When decisions have been adopted to which at least three Jews and three Arabs agree, it can be decided to make them public, but the publication must be made in the name of the entire council.

“If anyone disagrees, he can leave the council, which does not, however, release him from the pledge of secrecy. If anyone from the electing bodies is dissatisfied with any resolution of the council, it may change its representative. Although this council would be without definite competence, it would nevertheless see to it that differences were gradually straightened out and above the ordinary daily politics there would arise a more elevated joint representation of the interests of the country towards the mandatory.

“I send you this letter in German because I can’t write it in English and because I myself desire to bear the responsibility. You surely can have it translated through a Jewish friend.”