Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, JUNE 16th., 1936. ARABS AND JEWS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 June 1936, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, JUNE 16th., 1936. ARABS AND JEWS.

'J’IIE course of British administration does not seem, to be running smooth in Palestine. For some months, serious disturbances have occurred in most parts of the country, and although the cabled reports belittle the outbreaks, the fact that so many battalions of troops and much armament have been sent to Palestine, suggests that the trouble is more serious than admitted. The Arabs must be poor shots and bomb-throwers, when meeting the British troops and police, as the latter’s casualties have been small. The Jews have been killed and wounded in large numbers, and Ihe Arabs have also lost heavily. The League Assembly at its forthcoming meeting, will have to discuss the situation in Palestine, which is held under League. Mandate by Britain. Meanwhile, a vigorous contro-

versy is being conducted in the London Press, on the respective merits of the Jewish and Arab claims. The Arab ease is that the Allies promised many things during the Great War, in order to secure Arab aid against Turkey, but declare that a “shameful betrayal,” occurred when victory was attained. They deny that the Arabs are essentially anti-Jewish, pointing out that in pre-war days, the Jewish residents in Palestine were treated as co-citizens. The post-war Zionist movement, the Arabs say, is swamping Palestine with Jews, who are buying land from the Arabs, and gradually becoming masters. The Arabs ask for a limitation on the influx of Jews,

and an enquiry into the manner in which the Arabs are being dispossessed. The Jews claim that the Arab population of Palestine, which was stationary or declining before the war from a high death rate and migration overseas, has, since the British occupation, been increasing'

at an average rate o£ about 20,000 per annum. Their numbers have gone up (.luring the last 16 years from about 500,000 to 800,000. Jews can acquire land in Palestine only by purchasing at exorbitant prices. Such purchases have enriched many sections of the Arab population, and have provided them with resources which have enabled them to improve their methods of cultivation and to raise their standard of living. Further, the law provides that Arab tenants cannot be displaced from their holdings unless they arc provided with farms elsewhere which they are willing to accept. The Jews accuse the Arabs of starting all the attacks on lives and property. The British Government’s policy is based on what is known as the "Balfour Declaration,’’ which stated: "His Majesty’s Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement, of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of the existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.” This Zionist movement, strangely enough, was opposed from the outset by prominent British Jews, who declared that the policy would cause anti-Semitic measures in various countries. This prediction has proved true, although the repressions have, on the surface, no connection with the Zionist movement. Britain has no easy task in holding the balance between Arabs and Jews, and it would appear that firm administration will bring its reward in time, providing no further “Great War” ensues, in which there must be rival bids for Arab support.