Palestine in the UK/US newspapers, 15/16 August 1922.
1.
ARABS OBJECT TO PALESTINE NEW MANDATE, EXECUTIVE CONGRESS PASS SERIES OF RESOLUTIONS OPPOSING GREAT BRITAIN’S PLANS, 16 August, #1922Live, Tonopah Daily Bonanza, Timeline of British Mandatory Palestine
JERUSALEM, Aug. 16 – The Arab congress executive, looking forward to carrying on its opposition to the granting to Great Britain of the Palestine mandate, met in Jerusalem lately and passed a series of resolutions. Some of these provided for continued agitation against ratification of the mandate; others considered a course of action in case the mandate were approved.
(The council of the league of nations formally approved the Palestine mandate to Great Britain and the Syrian mandate to France in London July 24, more than three weeks after this letter from Jerusalem was written. The earl of Balfour, in outlining Great Britain’s policy in Palestine before the council, said this would be one of strict impartiality and justice in which all traditional rights, sentiments and religious feelings of the different racial groups would be respected and held inviolate).
Among the resolutions are the following:
If the mandate is ratified in its present form the executive will ask the delegation on in London to return so as to start operations on the spot against the government.
That a Moslem delegation be sent to Mecca to carry on propaganda among the pilgrims from India, Turkey, Persia and Egypt for the realization of the Arab demands.
That a Christian delegation be sent to the vatican in Rome to carry on the same propaganda in the center of the Catholic world.
Commenting on the situation Jamal Effendi al Hussein, the secretary of the Arab executive, said: “The world in general, and in particular Great Britain, must realize that the spark of liberty and independence still burns in the heart of every Palestinian, We would rather shed the last drop of our blood in the struggle for freedom than spend the rest of our lives as the slaves of the Jew in our beloved land.”
2.
OSCAR WASSERMAN ON REBUILDING PALESTINE, 16 August, #1922Live, The Denver Jewish News, Timeline of British Mandatory Palestine
“In Germany, Oscar Wasserman is a national figure. It may be said that with the death of Walter Rathenau, Herr Wasserman stands out as the most prominent Jew in the public life of Germany. He is recognized as one of the greatest financial experts in the world. He is the director of the Deutsche Bank and was one of the economic experts on the subject of reparations at the Conference in Genoa. Like Walter Rathenau, Herr Wasserman has recently become interested in the rebuilding of Palestine. Herr Wasserman’s interest however, is so deep that he has become the President of the Keren Hayesod in Germany. He has not been identified with the Zionist movement as such in any way.
In a recent interview Herr Wasserman expressed the view that the work of rebuilding Palestine must be carried through with the co-operation of Zionists and Non-Zionists. He regards the Keren Hayesod as the basis for such cooperation.
“The rebuilding of Palestine,” he declared, “with a Jewish culture and civilization, cannot be the work of one party. This task which is the greatest in Jewish history, must unite the Zionists and Non-Zionists. Palestine must become a fountain of youth for Judaism. The entire Jewish people is now facing a serious test and if the work should not succeed the entire people will pay dearly. The world will then say ‘Here the Jews have been tested for the first time in a great work of a constructive character and they have failed.’
“The work,” he says further, “does not depend on energy and courage alone and not on money alone. It requires the enthusiasm, not merely the sympathy, of all Jews, in order to overcome the obstacles which will be met in the beginning. It must become a movement of the whole people. The Keren Hayesod is neither Zionistic nor anti-Zionistic. Zionism is a militant organization and is compelled to be such. The Keren Hayesod, however, has no desire to wage warfare.
“What is the aim of the Keren Hayesod? It aims to build the basis for the gradual settlement of Palestine by those Jews who desire to return to the land of their Fathers either from religious or national motives, and for those who feel that they are maltreated spiritually or physically. The Keren Hayesod wishes to create a community there which shall be self-supporting. Our aim is not to send as we did in form times, Chalukah money out of which Jews shall live. That would be an insult for those who det it a disgrace for the land and for ourselves. Palestine is not an eleemosynary institution. We wish to lay the foundation of a new life. We wish to build roads, railroads, introduce sanitary measures and create cultural institutions.
It is noteworthy that Herr Wasserman, as was the case with Walter Rathenau, in spite of the fact that he is a man of large practical affairs is greatly interested in cultural questions. He regards the cultural development of Palestine as one of the principal factors in rebuilding of a happy and prosperous land.
“In order that Palestine,” he stated, “may be able to create for itself new sources of life, it must be transformed into a land of culture where the Jews may have the possibility of living a truly Jewish life. The revival of the Hebrew language should be regarded as a great achievement. We must aim that the ancient prophecy of the Law coming out from Zion and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem shall be accomplished. I regard the Keren Hayesod as the means for the preservation of Judaism.”
3.
PALESTINE IMMIGRATION ONLY HALF IN JUNE, 16 August, #1922Live, The Denver Jewish News, Timeline of British Mandatory Palestine
Jerusalem – Only 474 Jewish immigrants entered Palestine during June, figures published by the Zionist Executive show. This represents a considerable decrease, the average number during recent months having been about 900 a monht.
The decline is explained by the unemployment which prevailed during June, compelling the Zionist authorities to issue only half the number of certificates allotted for each month.
4.
SOLOKOW DESCRIBES U.S. VISIT TO POINCARE. 16 August, #1922Live, The Denver Jewish News, Timeline of British Mandatory Palestine
Paris – Premier Poincare of France has received Nahum Sokolow, chairman of the Zionist Executive, who described the results of his recent visit to America in the interests of the Keren Hayesod. The Premier showed interest in the participation of American Jewry in the Palestine task. Mr Sokolow also discussed with the Premier the prospects of cooperation between Jews in Palestine and the French in Syria.”
5.
Would Aid Palestine Rehabilitation. 16 August, #1922Live, The Denver Jewish News, Timeline of British Mandatory Palestine
New York – An appeal to the coming Zionist Conference at Carlsbad to take the initiative in calling a World Jewish Congress in order that immediate efforts may be directed by Jews in every part of the world toward the upbuilding of Palestine is contained in a statement issued by the administrative committee of the American Jewish Congress, of which Nathan Straus is president.
The statement which was called forth by the recent ratification of the Palestine Mandate by the League of Nations is as follows:
“The Administrative committee of the American Jewish Congress greets with joy and satisfaction the ratification by the League of Nations of the Mandate over Palestine under which the British government has pledged to facilitate the establishment of a Jewish National Homeland.
“This ratification of the Mandate marks the happy consummation of an object for which the American Jewish Congress has labored from the beginning and in behalf of which it has mustered the whole strength of organized American Jewry in December, 1918, which the original Palestine resolution was adopted for presentation to the Peace Conference to which was subsequently brought. This resolution was also incorporated in the Zionist proposals presented at Versailles by the World Zionist Organization. From the first, the American Jewish Congress, with all the affiliated fraternal orders, national and central organizations and organized Jewish committees loyally co-operating, gave its full support to the attainment of the idea, cherished by the largest number of our people for Jewish rehabilitation in the land of our fathers. Now that the action of the League of Nations has brought this ideal within the range of realization, the American Jewish Congress joins the Jews in all other lands in celebrating the occasion and calls upon Jewish men and women everywhere to do their duty in making possible the speedy rebuilding of Zion.”
The administrative committee of the American Jewish Congress notes with satisfaction the decision of the Zionist Organization of America, instructing its delegations to the Jahres Conference at Carlsbad to vote for an early convening of a Jewish World Congress. The plan for a Jewish World Congress proposed on various previous occasions received the approval of the delegates assembled at the preliminary conference for an American Jewish Congress on March 5, 1916, at the first session of the American Jewish Congress on Dec 15 1918 as well as at subsequent sessions of the Congress.
We believe that the time has now come that the great task for the resettlement of our people in Palestine should be taken up by the whole of the Jewish people, the organized Jewries in different hands. The required support and co-operation from all Jews can best be given to the Zionist Organizations as the Jewish agency thru a Jewish World Congress, one of the chief objects of which should be the work for the upbuilding of Palestine. This Congress is to be made up of the chosen representatives from the Jewish communities in the different countries and should have the right to speak and to act in behalf of the Jewries participating. Such a body alone will be able to summon the strength and gather the means which will hereafter be needed to turn the Zionist ideal into a reality.
We trust that the delegates to the Jahres conference will take the necessary steps to facilitate the convening of a Jewish World Congress and that all Jewish forces will rally to this call.”
6.
16 August, #1922Live, The Denver Jewish News, Timeline of British Mandatory Palestine
“Wolf Eisenberg, a prominent leader in the Jewish labor movement, was drowned while bathing in the Jordan near Jaffa. The deceased was a leader of the radical youths of Zion in Poland. During his stay in Palestine he took an active part in all of labor’s struggles.
7.
THE BRITISH TROOPS IN FRANCE IN 1918, 15 August, #1922Live, Westminster Gazette, Timeline of British Mandatory Palestine
“In Palestine and Egypt there were at the beginning of March 213,600 white troops and 37,300 native troops. The extension of the front of the Fifth Army was undertaken because of the pressure which M. Clemenceau brought to bear on our Government.”
8.
OUR TRIP TO THE EAST, 15 August, #1922Live, Taunton Courier, Timeline of British Mandatory Palestine
MR T. S. PENNY, J.P.
“Hebron stands pre-eminent amongst all the towns of Palestine for fanaticism and filth. It claims to possess the Cave of Macpelah, the burying-place of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, of Sarah, Rebekah, and Leah (Gen. Lxix., 30-32). Adjoining the Cave is a mosque which is entered by a flight of steps; in the side of the Cave, part way up the steps, is a small hole, through which visitors occasionally attempt to peer into the darkness within; they see nothing for their pains, and run great risk of insult and even injury from the Mohammedans, who scrutinise every movement, and do not hesitate to at least utter curse against and spit at the intruder. Of sanitary arrangements the town appears to be absolutely innocent, and there is nothing about it beyond its historical associations to induce any one to take the 24 miles journey from Jerusalem to inspect it. Still, a larger proportion of travellers in the Holy Land include it in their itinerary, and we should probably have done so had not a previous visit paid to it years ago more than satisfied our curiosity. On that occasion nothing but the presence of a Turkish guard prevented our party from serious molestation.”
BETHLEHEM.
Bethlehem itself compares most favourably with other towns of Palestine. Many of its houses are modern and well-built; its streets are narrow, it is true, but they are on the whole well-kept, and there is an agreeable absence of unpleasant sights and odours. A very considerable industry is carried on, principally in mother-of-pearl. The workers make no attempt at privacy; their workshops, which in many cases are also their living-rooms, are open to inspection, and an hour can be spent most pleasantly in watching their deft use of their primitive tools in cutting, shaping and polishing the shells, which they quickly transform into brooches, earrings, crosses and other objects eagerly purchased by visitors who are seeking mementos of their trip and presents for their loved ones.
CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY
The great attraction of the town is the Church of the Nativity. As a building it is full of interest but its associations with the birth of our Lord give it a unique position among Christian meeting places. Three different denominations, Armenians, Greeks and Roman Catholics, share it, and, as in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem, so here, they are in such determined antagonism to each other that a Turkish Guard is constantly on duty in the sanctuary. Quite recently blood was shed in a quarrel between the rival sects owing to a supposed intrusion of one upon the other’s territory. A large star of marbles in various colours indicates the particular spot whereon the Star which guided the wise men shone, and in the crypt is the figure of a babe placed in an excavated portion of the rock to represent the infant Saviour lying in the Manger. On Christmas-day – new style – Roman Catholic pilgrims in great numbers flock to the Church, and twelve days later – old Christmas-day – members of the Greek Church (principally Russians) bring their offerings, and in every possible way strive to show their devotion to the Infant Saviour and the Virgin Mary.
A BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORY.
Adjacent to the Church is a Tower, from whose summit a magnificent view of the surrounding country is obtainable. Close by are the very fields wherein was enacted the beautiful love story narrated in the Book of Ruth, and it is by no means difficult to people those fields in imagination with the busy reapers who were commanded by their master – Boaz – to allow the sweet Moabites to “glean even among the sheaves” without reproach, and to “pull out corn for her from the bundles.” One wonders whether Jesse, the grandson of Boaz and Ruth, inherited those same fields; but whether this be so or not, it is certain that in some of the fields stretched out before us the sweet singer of Israel kept his father’s sheep and to the accompaniment of his well-tuned harp gave utterance to psalms of praise and adoration in language which for poetic beauty and spiritual fervour have never been excelled. Nor did the young shepherd in the exuberance of his worshipful spirit forget the everyday duties devolving upon him, for not only did he lead his flock into green pastures, but at the risk of his own life defended them alike from the depredations of robbers and the attacks of beasts of prey. In the fulfilment of his simple and ofttimes monotonous and lonely task the lad was all unconsciously being prepared for his conflict with Goliath – which took place at no great distance from Bethlehem- and for the supremely important part he was destined to play in the history of God’s people.
THE HOLY BIRTH
It was in one of these fields, too, that centuries later other shepherds were abiding keeping watch over their flocks of night, when suddenly “an angel of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Be not afraid, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord.’”
Looking away eastward one sees the hilly desert country where David found refuge when hunted like a wild beast by the mad king, and one wonders which of the hills conceals that Cave of Adullam that provided shelter not only for the fugitive, but for “every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented,” who “gathered themselves together unto him.”
Looking still further eastward one thinks of the journeyings of the Magi and of the gold and frankincense and myrrh with which they expressed their adoration of and devotion to the new-born King of the Jews whose Star they had seen in the East. And then one is reminded of the tragic event which followed their visit, when “a voice was heard in Ramah, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted because they are not.”
THE WELL BY THE GATE.
We may not linger longer, however, for 1kg other pilgrims we have our purchase to make, and sufficient time must be allowed for the inevitable bartering, and we have yet one other spot of interest to visit ere we bid adieu to David’s town. One of the most interesting and instructive chapters in the Old Testament is I. Chronicles, xi. It contains among other short but thrilling stories the account of David’s longing for a drink of water from the well which is by the Gate of Bethlehem, and of the heroic feat of the three men who hazarded their lives to gratify the desire of their beloved chieftain. That well is believed to exist still, and we did not begrudge the trouble nor the fee which the sight of it cost us.
Altogether our recollections of Bethlehem, its historical associations, its busy industries, and its lovely women – for they are notably the fairest and most beautiful in Palestine – are of the happiest possible character.”
9.
THE JEWISH VOTE, 15 August, #1922Live, Daily News (London), Timeline of British Mandatory Palestine
There is a considerable Jewish vote in South Hackney, and it is expected to be given to Mr Knight.
“My views have been sought on behalf of the very large number of Jews in the constituency,” he said. “I have explained that I am wholly in sympathy with the aspirations of the Jewish people for a national home in Palestine, and that can best be sought in the spirit of the League of Nations. There is strong feeling among the Hackney Jews as to the terrible experiences of their co-religionists in Eastern Europe.”
