Informed Zionist circles today expected an abatement of tension in Palestine as one of the results of the Anglo-Italian treaty signed last night. In view of the concessions made to Italy in other spheres, it is believed here the Italian Government will be anxious to carry out its obligations and will halt Arabic anti-British propaganda and other activities which were covered by last year’s “Gentlemen’s Agreement” and which are embodied in the new treaty.
Lessening of political tension is likewise expected to follow, since, if the treaty is carried out, Italian agents will halt their anti-British campaign throughout the Near East. Palestine Arabs will no longer be able to count on Italian opposition to the proposed partition of Palestine, since the treaty does not give Italy any special status regarding the future of Palestine, which remains within the sphere of the League of Nations.
The fact that the treaty not once mentions Palestine by name is interpreted as notation that the British Government stood firm and rejected the original Italian demand a special position regarding Palestine on the basis of the fact that Italy was one of the Allied Powers to whom Turkey surrendered the Palestine territory. It is most likely, however, that the British Government will in the future inform the Italian Government regarding British intentions in Palestine, without, however, obligating itself to take the Italian views into consideration.
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.
