An investigation of contradictions existing between Article 22 of the League of Nations pact and the Mandates for Syria and Palestine as well as the manner of their interpretation and application is asked in a memorandum from the Arab delegation to Marquis A. Theodoli, chairman of the League’s Mandates Commission.
The memorandum maintains that the mandated countries are unprotected by the Mandates Commission against the rulings of the mandatory powers and that the Mandates Commission itself agrees to the establishment of a Jewish state, thus giving an unjust interpretation to Article 22. It further points out that for the populations of Syria and Palestine only two courses are left, either emigration or acts of despair.
That section of Article 22 that the memorandum refers to reads: “Certain communities formerly belonging to the Turkish Empire have reached a stage of development where their existence as independent nations can be provisionally recognized subject to the rendering of administrative advice and assistance by a Mandatory until such time as they are able to stand alone. The wishes of these communities must be a principal consideration in the selection of the Mandatory.”
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.