The Arab issue in Palestine is lagging behind and not progressing!
It pains me to be a harbinger of bad news; however, facing the harsh realities is better than surrendering to dreams.
When the British White Paper was issued, every loyal Arab announced his disapproval of this document, claiming it was a shock to Arab hopes by organizing the continuation of Zionist immigration for another period, albeit a timed one, after which immigration would be contingent on the will of the Arabs, who can either approve it or prohibit it afterwards.
Today, Arabs cling to the policy of the White Paper, calling on England to uphold it, all the while seeing in the latest statement by Bevin a deficiency in it and a continuation of immigration at unfixed times!
Thus, the Arab issue in Palestine is lagging and not progressing! It lags behind, turning the White Paper, which was once a source of complaint for Arabs, into an object of their hopes. The minimal threshold – or even less – becomes a maximum limit for Arab aspirations or for those who speak on their behalf these days.
Isn't it a trial that must open our eyes? Let us consider how this reversal occurred. The White Paper was issued yesterday to appease the angry, rebellious Arabs, who rejected it and deemed it insignificant. When the coldness seeped into their icy blood and numbness spread to their inflamed nerves, they accepted the White Paper and stood waiting...
And today, the White Paper is canceled to appease the rebellious, aggressive Zionists, who reject its cancellation and belittle Bevin's latest proposals because the Arabs are still in a delightful stupor to which they surrender... for they trust the British conscience!!!
From here, we can understand: when do the English seek to please us, and when do they seek to appease the Zionists?!
Let us examine where Bevin's latest proposals lead? The doors of Zionist immigration will be opened again after being closed, and a commission of inquiry – which has not yet been formed – will be established to look into the issue of Palestine and the general issue of the Jews. As long as this commission has not completed its extensive inquiries, the torrent of immigration will continue to flow into Palestine!
Is it a year? Or two years? Or five years? Or is it the constant excuse for the continued immigration at uncertain times? For if the Arabs grow weary or dissatisfied at that time, they will be a hasty people who do not want the committee to work in a calm environment, thus not allowing the truths to emerge!
Moreover, there are some Arabs who view such proposals as a valid foundation for the Palestinian issue.
Is this not the trial that must open our eyes!
The British can cheer for Bevin's latest proposals; they are a victory for the traditional British policy... a victory in various aspects:
- The first victory is dragging America to bear the consequences in Palestine without reaping any of the spoils! And portraying this as responding to America's voice in solving the complicated issue that wealthy Zionists were able to mobilize Truman and others for. If a solution is reached, America will not be able to refuse it, as she shares in it!
- The second victory is reinforcing the status of the British mandate over Palestine under a new name (trusteeship), with recognition from the United States this time, considering that the mandate was from the League of Nations, which the U.S. has withdrawn from, while independence for Palestine was the expected outcome!
3 - The third victory is (delay), which is the hallmark of authentic English policy. Delay and leaving the knot to be unraveled by time represents the enduring character of English policy, especially with small nations struggling for their usurped rights. Time is always on the side of the strong, not the weak – and these recent proposals ensure the traditional policy the maximum extent; because they are in the hands of an investigative committee that no one should rush to reveal the truths! Otherwise, they would be obstinate and unwilling for the truths to emerge!
4 - The fourth victory is the reconciliation between all English party policies in addressing an external issue, and the English rejoice in such reconciliation because they are all English! The English have reason to celebrate these recent statements in their newspapers generally, but Arabs should not be deceived by this celebration; for they have a different stance on the issue that calls for independent thinking when considering affairs. The Palestine issue is a just cause, and we are not harmed by the investigation; but when has the justice of national issues been sufficient to determine rights in matters?
And now... what is our safe path?
Our path is not to trust anyone's conscience, for no one in the Western world has a conscience! This Western civilization has proven to be bankrupt in conscience, a reality that the world has never witnessed in all previous civilizations.
Before we trust the European or American conscience, we must remember France’s incidents in Syria and Lebanon – which are close at hand and have not faded from sight – and we must remember England’s notorious day on February 4; as well as its position in Indonesia – which is present now – and we must remember America’s call (Truman) and its support for the Zionists!
Our path is not to trust anyone’s conscience, nor to surrender to any calls for trust in this conscience. Our path is not to surrender to the narcotics of delay, unless immigration has come to a complete halt until the investigation is completed. For we have seen that time is not on our side; if anyone wishes to surrender, let them remember when the White Paper on halting Zionist immigration was issued at a specific time, and why this paper was issued. Then let them remember when the White Paper was canceled and immigration was allowed once again, and why this reversal took place. The White Paper was issued as a concession to the angry and rebellious Arabs, while Bevin's last statement was issued as a concession to the aggressive and terrorist Jews!
Our path is for the leaders of the Arab nation to return the authority they hold back to this nation itself so that it can express its opinion on the new situation, for it is the entity that has the right before all the leaders. And let me release a clear and harsh cry: O Arab nation, beware even of your own political leaders, not because they may betray or deceive you, but because they themselves may be betrayed and deceived! And because the seats of power can sometimes be so comfortable that they soothe rebellious nerves and lead to boiling blood being quelled!
O Arab nation!
Take matters into your hands once again, for I see a situation that requires the efforts of the people themselves, not just the efforts of the leaders alone. And what deceives you, O nation – in all your national issues, not just in the Palestine issue alone – is nothing but a deceiver who distances you from the matter and surrenders to promises!
