PALESTINE RIOTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17995, 14 April 1930, Page 15

PALESTINE RIOTS.

APPROVAL OF REPORT. ZIONIST SATISFACTION. Regarded by Zionists as, on the whole, ol’ a very satisfactory nature, particularly with reference to the allocation of the respoisibiiity for the massacres, and the recognition by the commission of the material benefits conferred on Palestine by tbe work of Hie Zionist organisation, the report of the Palestine Commission has been welcomed by the Jews everywhere.

A favourable opinion of the reoprt was expressed by Mr Ben Green, editor of “The Jewish Times,” in an interview with a Dominion reporter at . Wellington. The attitude of New Zealand Jewry was faithfully indicated by tbe cable forwarded to the British Government through Sir Joseph Ward by Mr N. Alfred Nathan, president of the Auckland Hebrew Congregation, at the commencement of the disturbances last year. Tbe cable affirmed complete confluence in tbe ability of the British Government to restore order and adrminister justice, and that confidence will be strengthened by the report just published. Murderous Assaults. From a Jewish point of view, continued Mr Green, two most important points are made clear in the report. The fi rst i' s “that from the beginning the outbreaks were attacks by Arabs on Jews for which no excuse was established.” The Commission now makes it perfectly clear that the disturbances were simply murderous assaults by the Arabs on an unarmed and inoffensive ■section of the populace. Equally important is the statement in the report acknowledging the fact that Jewish enterprise and immigration have conferred material advantages •on Palestine, which the Arabs have shared. Owing largely to Zionist efforts, Palestine has made more progress in the last few decades than it had for one thousand years preceding. During the last ten years alone over ten million pounds have been spent by the Zionist organisation in improving the country. Modern methods of agriculture have been introduced, malarial swamps drained, and fertile farms substituted, hospitals established,' and infant welfare clinics opened, and, in all these benefits, conferred by Jewish enterprise and capital, the Arab has benefited equally with the Jew. i Disappointed Arabs. j {4; The report refers to the disappoiniment of the Arabs in not realising their political and national aspirations. ■lt must be realised, said Mi’ Green, that the Jews had not attempted to accomplish anything in Palestine that would hinder legitimate Arab aspirations On the contrary, since the war the Arabs have realised far more of their national aims than the Jews are likely to do for many years to come. . ~ , ... , The Jewish ideal is the establishment of a public, legally-secured home in Palestine for the Jewish people. This ideal has received the endorsement of Great Britain and of the world’s leading Powers, but it will be many years before it is consummated. A Great Kingdom. On the other hand, the Arabs aimed at the creation of a gigantic Arab kingdom, extending from the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf and from Armenia to the Indian Ocean, including Palestine, Syria, and Arabia. _ Although these aspirations were neither reasonable nor possible and were thus foredoomed to failure, the Arabs have realised a far greater measure of their hopes than the Jews, or _ indeed than many of the small nations which sought emancipation at the close of the World War. This is proved by the fact that out of 10,000,000 Arabs who were formerly under Turkish rule, nearly 8,000,000 now live in independent Arab kingdoms. The 'Commission’s conclusion that Palestine cannot support an increased ■ agricultural population without a radical change in farming methods is in accordance with the belief and policy of the Zionist organisation, which is introducing the principles of modern scientific farming into a land that has been tilled in the same primitive manner for centuries. Many Jewish people will endorse the note of reservation made by Mr Henrv Snell, a member of the Commission,” who takes a more serious view of the responsibility of tbe Arab leaders for the disturbances. , j; Jews’ Enthusiasm. ' ! ~H Concluding, Mr Green stated that the work of establishing a Jewish home in Palestine would he continued with unabated enthusiasm. _ The Jewish people have complete faith in the intention of the British Government to adhere to the solemn promise embodied in the Balfour Declaration. The late Earl of Balfour, whose death was deeply lamented by world Jewry, referring to Great Britain and Jewish national aspirations, stated,: “We are partners in this great enterprise. If we fail you, you cannot succeed. If you fail us, you cannot pull together we can succeed.” The Jews have not failed to carry out their obligations to Palestine, and the report of the Palestine Commission indicates that Great Britain will maintain its pledge to the Jewish people. „.. T . . The ultimate success of the Jewish national home in Palestine must thus he assured, and if the consummation is not to come immediately, the Jewish ideal Will not abate, for three thousand years of exile have taught us patience."