The Arabs again protest against Jewish land purchases in the country. The Palestine Arab Executive has forwarded the following letter to Sir Herbert Samuel, the High Commissioner of Palestine, in connection with the recent land transactions.
“The Arabs of Palestine understand that Seursuk has made a sale to the Zionists of five villages, consisting of Afoula, Khenifis, Gabatah, and Shattah, which belong to the district of Nazareth. Both the settlers and the buyers are the intruders in the case. The party of owners have a legal right to this land, and before long the sale will be executed and no mercy will be granted to the poor and destitute. If we look into this matter from a legal and political point of view, it will be necessary for the Government to concern itself with this sale, in which the rights of hundreds of families are violated. If this daring act will be effected, it will create confusion and discontent in the country.
“We herewith give the following supporting proofs: (1) That these villages were in the hands of their present inhabitants for many generations. (2) That the laws and regulations applicable to land clearly show that those who occupy the land for a long period have the right to obtian official Tabu documents for possessing the land already in their hands. (3) That this sale will cause the removal from their land of hundreds of families at a time, who will not be able to find any other means from which to derive their livelihood and therefore this might create great disturbances and bring heavy losses to the Government. (4) The duty of the Government is to protect the right of her inhabitants and mete out justice to the people.
“In these circumstances the Executive Committee passed a resolution at its last session on the 25th of August, 1924, inviting the attention of the Government to this matter to study the case properly and prove the right of these poor villagers.”
The Arab Executive has also sent a letter to the High Commissioner concerning the Kadoorie legacy, declaring that they are not opposed to the suggestion that the Arabs should profit from the donation of the Bagdad Jewish philanthropist, the late Sir Ellis Kadoorie, as he was not a Zionist and his bequest has no political character at all. The Executive requests the Government to consider the question of the distribution of this legacy and proposes that the money should be divided between Jews, Moslems and Christians in proportion, according to their respective numbers.
SMYRNA JEWS FACE EMIGRATION PROBLEM
The Jews of Smyrna are leaving in masses for various countries-Greece, Palestine, Egypt and
Under present conditions in Smyrna the Jews are unable to earn a livelihood at their old occupations: most of them were travelling merchants trading with the Greeks, and the Greeks have been expelled from Smyrna. Also, the Jews are afraid to enter the interior of Smyrna.
In addition, all non-Turkish elements are being dismissed from the large firms, from the administration of ports and railways, and most other Turkish undertakings. The Turkish Press is conducting a vehement anti-Jewish campaign.
A large number of the Smyrna Jews would like to go to Palestine, but find it difficult to comply with the immigration requirements of the country.
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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.
