(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Palestine of the mandate is not in the full sense a part of the British Empire and for this reason the rights and prerogatives of British subjects are not fully applicable to Palestine, is the view of the British Colonial Office, according to a statement made in the House of Commons yesterday by Leopold H. Amery.
The statement was made in reply to a question asked by Col. Josiah Wedgwood, who inquired why British subjects resident in Palestine are not allowed to participate in the elections and to sit in the municipal councils in the country.
Col. Wedgwood also asked why women are not allowed to vote and to be elected to the councils.
Col. Amery replied that the High Commissioner was advised that it would be contrary to the sentiment of the great majority of the population to give women the franchise. In those areas where there is no objection, women have, a right to vote in the local elections. The High Commissioner is considering a proposal to embody new clauses in the municipal elections law for adoption by those local municipalities which wish women to participate in the elections.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
