A COUNCIL IN PALESTINE
[To the Editor of TilE SPECTATO1.]
Sin,—Lord Melehett in a letter to the Manchester Guardian (November 27th, 1935) appeared to hope for " three to four million Jews " in " Palestine and Transjordan," and recent letters in your columns imply similar if less extreme hopes. Zionist leaders are objecting to the establishment of a Legis- lative Cbunefl in Palestine on the ground that the Jews are in a minority. This means (unless it is intended to obstruct indefinitely the self-governing institutions provided for in the Mandate)'that they envisage a Jewish majority at some future date. - What does this denote but an intention to swamp the Arabs'? It looks as though the fears of the Arabs are well- grounded..
After what has been revealed one would expect Zionists to cease their appeals for " co-operation " in Palestine. Yet leaders such as Mr. Stein continue to make these appeals to the Arabs to .co-operate on the ground of " Palestinian citizenship, regardless of race," and I should like to emphasise the contradiction of this demand with the desire of the same leaders for a Jewish National honie. If " Palestinian citizen- ship " is to be of any use at all, it must involve a common feeling, even a common culture, between Jews and Arabs. Quite apart from the apathy of _the Arabs towards such an ideal (about which they make no bones), would the Jews be willing to put the Palestinian ideal before their Jewish Nationalism ?
In brief : (1) " We don't want to swamp you ; we only wish to be in a majority." (2) " We can be Jews first and foremost, but you must be Palestinians first and Arabs second."—Yours, &c.,
22 Pine Road, Didsbury, Manchester.
G. F. HOURAIIL
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