REBEL COLLAPSE IN PALESTINE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21559, 23 January 1940, Page 2

REBEL COLLAPSE IN PALESTINE

ORIGINAL LEADERS WITHDRAW A well-informed but disillusioned Arab patriot, In commenting on the present weakness of the Arab national movement In Palestine, states that there is “no longer a town, village, or family in Palestine which really respects the rebellion, and submission to rebel demands is now due only to fear" (says a correspondent of the London “Times”). He attributes the collapse of th? movement to various causes; the bad economic condition of the country induced by the protracted revolt, the European war, which has made the national movement a minor issue even In Palestine itself, but above all to the presence of criminals in the leadership of the armed bodies and their treatment of peaceful inhabitants and villagers. It is freely said in the villages (he continued) that the man who will be most loyal in the service of the rebellion, and cannot betray It Is the absconded offender or the person wanted by the Government for a major crime, for which a death sentence or a long term of imprisonment may be the penalty. This group was the first to join the rebellion when it started! because they knew that they were serving their own safety. And this group has made its way in the rebellion and has been given major positions, which have been exploited for personal reasons. This type nt criminal, who has usually been convicted on testimony, considers every witness who has given evidence against him as a personal enemy, and works to avenge himself against such persons Without the rebellion these fugitives would have had no chance to take their revenge. They have collected fines, stolen, raped, and murdered in their lust for revenge. The original leaders of the rebellion, disgusted with these actions, have now withdrawn from all active participation (added this Arab critic). There now remain only those whose record of crime precluded them from ever again consorting with those Arabs who desire peace and justice. For them the only course possible Is pure banditry and intimidation in order to obtain the means of subsistence. Arab War Policy This forthright statement goes far towards putting in their proper light the minor Incidents which still occasionally detract from the otherwise improved conditions in Palestine. The majority of the Palestine Arabs are reasonably content to co-operate with the British Government on the basis of the statement of policy issued last May. And the promptness with which neighbouring Arab countries, and Turkey as well, have espoused the cause of the Allies reminds them that, after all, the great democratic Powers stand for things the Arabs themselves cherish, and can be counted upon to allow them more room for national expression and development than a world dominated by Nazi ideas. The country has therefore enjoyed greater peace and security than have existed for a number of years, and even in war time there has been a relaxation of security measures. Tire one unfortunate element of disturbance Is the habitual criminal who cannot afford to stop fighting, and now again resorts to unvarnished banditry in self-protec-tion.