(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Symptoms of an approaching recognition of the Balfour Declaration by Arab leaders of Palestine, which would insure a basis of cooperation between the Palestine Government and the Arabs, and between the Arabs and the Jews, are visible from an editorial published in the last issue of the “Falastin,” the organ of the Arab Executive.
The editorial contains a remarkable confession of the Palestine Arab leaders and a plea for cooperation with the Jews. Pointing out the mistakes of the Arab leaders in rejecting the offers of the Palestine government for the election of a legislative council and for the creation of an Arab Agency to act in the capacity of an advisory body to the Palestine administration, similar in character to the Jewish Agency provided for by the Mandate, the paper says that by these actions Great Britain has been convinced that the Palestine Arabs are incapable of self-government. It is for this reason that the Palestine government is not establishing parliamentary institutions in the country, as was the case under the Turkish regime. The “Falastin” makes the surprising statement that “in refusing to recognize the Balfour Declaration, the Arabs are neglecting their own interests.”
As the Year Turns, Support the Journalism You Trust. JTA covers the stories shaping Jewish life around the world — with the depth this moment calls for. As you reflect on the year ahead, consider a gift that keeps independent Jewish journalism strong.
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.
