PALESTINE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26792, 8 June 1948, Page 6

PALESTINE

Sir, —The amusing correspondent “ Gentile ” seems to think that “ the Land of Israel" belongs to the Arabs. Until it was taken from the Ottoman Empire in 1917 by General Allenby’s leadership with a part contribution of several Jewish battalions it was an utter wasteland, desert and malarial swamps which proved fatal to numerous troops. That is Arab progress for over 400 years. If the British. Labour Government wishes to set an “ example of adhering honourably to treaties,” how is it that in 1939 the Chamberlain Government illegally reversed the terms of the mandate? The consequences of this reversal produced psychological effects of the gravest character. In spite of this disillusionment, a great war effort was volunteered by 30,000 men and women of Palestine Israeli, in all branches of the services, a contribution to an Allied victory, when King Faruk of Egypt was collaborating with Nazi Germany, Transjordan indifferent, Iraq in revolt. Syria Vichy, the Mufti in Berlin. Without sacrifice to the Allied victory, the Arab States found themselves amongst the victors with five seats in the United Nations and disingenuous tributes to their friendship I Some think that an Anglo-Arab confederacy, with a Jewish ghetto, would be an effective buffer to Russia. I might.,, suggest that “ Gentile ” read Professor G. Knight’s spleftdid treatise relevant to this subject. This miniature literary classic merits high praise to himself, dignity to the Scottish people, and exaltation to the historic and illustrious Presbyterian Church.—l am. etc., Maurice Bernstein.

[Abridged. We cannot find space to continue a controversy on the historic claims of Jews and Arabs to Palestine, a question correspondents have recently discussed at great length—Ed. O.D.T.]