The chief features in the French Report on the development of Palestine follow in outline form:
1. There is no Government land available for Arab or Jewish settlement. Any land for these purposes will have to be purchased in the open market.
2. Beisan and Huleh lands, once legal difficulties are overcome, may serve for Arab and Jewish settlement but this possibility is remote.
3. Land transfer and purchase should be placed under complete Government control.
4. Arabs in the hills require special protection from the Jews and from the effendi.
5. The number of “displaced” Arabs is estimated between 1,000 and 2,000 as compared with 3,700 claims by Arabs. Jews in this category are from 200 to 1,000.
6. The settlement of Arabs should be concentrated on citrus land; 200 Arab families could be settled annually on such land; 1,000 dunams should be allowed for reach 50 families. The Government cost would be 800 pounds per family over a 5-year period.
7. Nominal rentals should be charged all such settlers, to include the cost of land, buildings and livestock to be supplied Arab settlers by the Government. If and when land is allotted Jewish settlers, only the land is to be given for a proportionate rental.
8. There is no difficulty in terming land as the inalienable property of the present holders.
9. The proposal for an agricultural and settlement bank for the Jews is rejected on the grounds that there is not sufficient security for such a proposition.
10. Establishment of a Land Administration Agency modeled after that of Northern India.
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.
