THE CRISIS IN PALESTINE

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1929, Page 7

THE CRISIS IN PALESTINE

(Auckland Star.)

According to the official reports order is now restored in Palestine. The country is said to be comparatively quiet, and our Foreign Minister takes credit to himself that this result has been achieved without resorting to martial law. However, apart from the original rioting, the loss of many Jewish lives and the destruction of much Jewish property, there has been a deal df desultory fighting, and it is evident that if it had not been for the prompt despatch of troops and warships to Palestine, Britain might have had to face a very dangerous .situation, in the Middle East.' As matters now stand while the Jews charge the Arabs with causing all the trouble, the Arabs retaliate by accusing the Jews of stirring up. strife, insulting the Moslem faith and Mohammedan dignitaries and even with making murderous attacks upon the Arab population. It is hardly necessary to comment upon this attempt by the Arabs to shift the responsibility for this tragedy on to the shoulders of the Jews. Whatever Ifaults can be charged against the Jews, it is quite certain that they do not indugle in outrage, mutilation and murder, and the allegation that, virtually unarmed, and surrounded by a hostile population vastly superior in

numbers, they have been the aggressors, is simply preposterous and incredible. The decision of, the Colonial Office set up a Commission and conduct a searching inquiry into the whole tragic episode has been greeted with satisfaction throughout the civilised world, and the statement of Sir John Chancellor, that justice will be meted out with absolute impariality, and without regard to race or religion, is a welcome assurance for the Jews in Palestine and their Zionist kinsfolk elsewhere.

It is important, however, to observe that Lord Passfield, in announcing the appointment of the Commission of inquiry, made it clear that the British Government has no idea of reconsidering its position in Palestine either in regard to the mandate or the Balfour Declaration of 1917, which the mandate of the League embodies. The decision of the Allies to regard Palestine not simply as a refuge, but as the permanent national home of the Jewish race, was reached only after long and careful consideration. It has been endorsed by all the leading Powers of the world, including the United States, and there is no possibility of deviating from it now. Moreover, it should be remembered that after Syria was allotted to France, and a great Arab kingdom was set up in the Middle East, Palestine became politicially important to Britain because of its proximity to Egypt , and the Suez Canal. Therefore' it is in the last degree improbable that Britain will modify her policy of building up in this region a prosperous and powerful civilised nationality which will regard the British nation as its natural protector aim friend.

In view of the political importance of these considerations it is surprising to learn that the attitude of the British authorities in Palestine has not been marked by much cordiality or sym pathy towards the Jews. During the debate on Palestine in the House of Commons, last May, Colonel Wedgwood and Commander Kemvorthy protested ’vigorous'^ 7 against the oppressive treatment to which the Jews have been subjected in regard to land tenure and taxation, urged that more generous facilities should be extended to the Jewish colonists and even criticised the administration of justice in Palestine as infected with “a sort of Oriental taint which ten years of British rule ought to have eliminated.” The official reply to the effect that concessions formerly granted to Syrian and Arab landowners by the Turks are blocking the way, is by no means satisfactory. No doubt the High Commissioner, standing between the Arabs and the Jews and endeavouring to allow for religious prejudices and racial antagonisms has had a difficult part to play. But judging by the recent comments of Continental newspapers and the questions asked at Geneva the general impression seems to be that Britain’s method of administrating her mandate in Palestine has left a great deal to be desired.