Palestine Communities Ordinance: Text

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency Mail Service)

The Palestine Religious Communities Organization Draft Ordinance, 1926, which has just been published in the “Official Gazette” reads as follows:

Whereas it is provided in Article 83 of the Palestine Order in Council, 1922, that each Religious Community recognized by the Government shall enjoy autonomy for the internal affairs of the Community, subject to the provisions of any Ordinance or Order issued by the High Commissioner.

Be it Enacted by the High Commissioner for Palestine, with the advice of the Advisory Council thereof:–

This Ordinance may be cited as the Religious Communities Organization Ordinance, 1926.

If any Religious Community in Palestine makes application under this Ordinance, the High Commissioner in Executive Council may with the approval of one of His Majesty’s Principal Secretaries of State, make, and when made vary or revoke regulations for its organization as a religious community and its recognition as such by the Government of Palestine.

Separate regulations shall be made in each case, suited to the special circumstances and organization of the community concerned.

Any such regulations may provide for the constitution of religious and cultural Councils or Boards of the community which shall have capacity to acquire and hold immovable and movable property of every description, to enter into contracts to execute any deeds and to sue and be sued under the titles granted to them.

Any such regulations may bestow upon the said Councils or Boards power to impose upon members of the community contributions or fees for communal purposes which shall be recoverable in the same way as municipal taxes and fees.

Any regulations made under this Ordinance may provide that any Ottoman Decree or Regulation relating to matters falling under this Ordinance shall cease to have effect in Palestine.