Evening star., 1938-08-28
Arabs Oppose Jewish Home
Only if Own Aim Is Periled
Are Firm Against Partition of Palestine or New
Influx Which Would Cause Them to
Lose Majority Rule
By CreSt0n B. Mullins,

~ UMBLNGs of "jehad'-holy war
~ issue from the Arab world OF the
Near and Middle East as the bu-
reaucratic machinery in London
erinds slowly toward a solution of the
deadlock in Palestine which almost daily
adds new victims to the toll of dead among
Jews, Arabs and British
1t is the last resort of the 900 900 Arabs
. In the Holy Land against a movement
which they have seen growing for the last
20 years-conversion of Palestine from an
Arab community into a Jewish state, their
national home
The Arabs are not opposed to the idea
Of Jewish national home as long as it
does not threaten their hope OF ultimate
independence for Palestine as an Arab
state, but they are sdsmant against parti-
ton Of their country or new influx of
immigrants. which would create Jewish
majority and establish Jewish political
control.
And in their intransigence they are
heartily supported by their brothers in
Egypt, Irak. Syria and Trans-Jordan, as
we'll as the millions OF other Moslems
throughout the East.
The grave danger to world order in Pal
estine lies in the possibility of mass up
rising Of the East against the West. imperil-
ing not only Jewish hopes to complete their
national home in Palestine, but seriously
fnenacine the foundations of the British
Empire. with its loO00o.0oO Moslems, and
the French colonial empire AS we'll
A year ago British royal commission
headed by Earl Peel presented its solution
for Pslestine's troubles-partition-s the
ensuing II months have been filled with
violent outbursts by the Arabs against such
a division of the land they have Inhabited
for l3 centuries.
second commission headed by Sir John
Woodhead has just returned to England
after a new study to recommend actual
boundaries for the new Jewish and Arab
states, which it is proposed to create. NAL
colin Macdonald, British colonial secre-
tary. also made flying two-day visit to
the troubled area to obtain first-hand in
formation, SO that preparations are being
pressed for submission of definite sou-
ton to Parliament when it convenes this
= fall.
But before the British government can
do so, Arab evaporation, aggravated by
events since June %, when the young Jew
ish revsionist, Ben Joseph, was hanged,
may get out OF control. confronting Britain
with the much more serious problem of
= holy war
The central issue between Jews and
Arabs is simply political control over ter
ritory which is interviewer with the history
and traditions of both nationalities 1t is
question of rival national aspira tions and
not. as often supposed, religious or racial
conflict
Essentially Political.
Zionism, which is a movement of return
h the Promised Land and establishment
OF the national home for the Jews. is es-
sentially political in nature, being an ex-
preston Of Jewish nationalism which has
persisted throughout the centuries of dis
persion Of the race to the corners OF the
globe
Against it has risen militant Arab ma
tionalism which is the product of the
impact of Western civilization on the primi-
tive peoples of the East. coupled with the
growth of national feeling everywhere as
q result of the war.
1t is not question of incompatibility of
Jews and Arabs, for they are both branches
of the Semitic race-and lived together in
friendliness and harmony until their re-
spective national movements came in con-
nict.
Like all other such movements Arab and
Jewish nationalisms are rooted deeply in
history, ancient and modern
Palestine was the home of the Jews in
Biblical times, As early as 100 BIC,
after their return from Egypt, the Israelites
had established their sway over the in
terror hill country Of Palestine and with
the exception of the period of captivity In
Babylon, maintained fairly distinct state
despite occasional subsection to foreign
conquerors.
Finally Lost in So BIC.
Their independence was flnally lost in So
BIC. when Pompey stormed Jerusalem
and Palestine became virtually a Roman
province. Periodic revolts against Roman
rule provoked the destruction OF Jerusalem
in 13S AID. Some Of the populace was
killed. some were carried of into slavery,
and many fled voluntarily. The Jews we're
dispersed and Palestine declined.
In the 7th century conquests of the
Arabs. Palestine fell under their domina-
ton, and remained so for nearly four CEN
turies until the arrival of the Turks in
the l1th century and the subsequent cru
sades, following which it came under the
rule of Egypt Conquered by the Ottoman
Turks in 1917. it remained under Moslem
government almost continually until the
capture of Jerusalem by Gen. Allenby N
1917
Here. then, are the historic claims of
both Arabs and Jews to Palestine: the
former through l3 centuries Of inhabita-
ton and cultivation, the latter through
even more ancient possession.
The immediate background Of the strug-