Palestine Arab Congress to Protest Against Government Loan

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency Mail Service)

A protest against the Palestine Government loan because Palestine Arab leaders were not consulted in the matter is contemplated by the forthcoming Palestine Arab Congress. This was learned following a meeting of twenty-five Arab notables held at the home of Musa Kazem Pasha Al-Husseini, President of the Palestine Arab Executive. The notables represented Jerusalem, Jaffa, Haifa, Nablus, Safed, Gaza, Hebron, Bethlehem, Ramleh, Tulkeram and Jenin, and were delegates of the various parties. The speakers dealt with the mode by which it was desirous to convene the Congress, and it was decided that delegates of all parties should participate. The Arab Executive would send fifty per cent of the delegates, and the rest would make the membership up to 120 the total strength. All the Muftis of Palestine are to be invited, while Arab Chambers of Commerce will each send one delegate. The Congress will probably meet in September.

“Al Yarmuk” reports that among the items for discussion will be opposition to all laws promulgated by the Government since the Occupation until now, as representatives of the public did not express their opinions on such legislation. Criticism will be made of Col. Symes’ declaration at the meeting of the Permanent Mandates Commission of the League of Nations to the effect that the silence of the Palestine Arab population is proof that they are satisfied with the administration. A proposal will be made to reject the £4,500,000 loan to Palestine, as the inhabitants were not consulted.