The Middle East

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32194, 13 January 1970, Page 8

The Middle East

Sir.—For the enlightenment of “Visiting Englishman,” the land now known as Israel was settled by the Jews 300-500 years ago. Since then many nations, including Rome, have claimed it. It wit part of the Turkish Empire long before Fatamid Caliph Hakim ordered the destruction of the church of the Holy Sepulchre in 1009 which was the reason for the invasion by the Crusaders of the Holy Land. Although they occupied some portions they were eventually routed by the Saracen Turks, who remained the rulers until defeated by General Allenby in 1917. Rightly or wrongly the State Of Israel Is a reality today Where the Jews are trying to build a nation on 8000 sq. miles of inhospitable country. Tel Aviv (population 400,000), built on sand dunes, is an indication of the industry and vitality of these people, who, if left unmolested could transform this piece of desert into a productive unit—Yours, etc., JOHN FORSTER. January 10, 1970.

Str,—John Forster is astray about the Balfour Declareration being authority for the creation of the State of Israel; it merely promised the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine by development of the then-exist-ing Jewish community numbering about 60,000 (Arabs 600.000), but which immigration swelled to 95,000 by 1023 Britain held mandate of Palestine and, as a result of Arab hostility to the excessive Jewish influx, issued a statement of policy in 1922 known as the Churchill Memorandum, limiting immigration to the country’s economic capacity to absorb new arrivals. There was no intention to bring about "the disappearance dr subordination of the Arabic population, language or culture.” With the Zionist Organisation’s endorsement of tills interpretation of the Balfour Declaration excluding a Jewish State, the draft resolution for a British mandate over Palestine was presented to the League of Nations and was ratified by it in 1922.—Yours, etc., _ L.T.B. January 11, 1970.