'File 11/32 Royal Commission on Palestine' [‎67r] (133/308)

the Jewish national home, on the other it laid down the con
dition that nothing should be done which might prejudice the
civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities
in Palestine or the rights or political status enjoyed by Jews
elsewhere.
“ It is clear that under these provisions a twofold task was
imposed upon the mandatory Power. It was under an obliga
tion to further the establishment of the Jewish national home,
and at the same time it was bound to do its best to guide the
country as a whole along the path towards full nationhood.
■Iideed, the development of self-governing institutions is one of
the objects specifically prescribed in Article 2 of the mandate.
j^At the time when the mandate was drawn up by our pre-
dffssors it was clearly not contemplated that these two obliga
tions would prove mutually incompatible. ... No one, least of
all the mandatory Power itself, or the Council of the League,
who approved the form of the mandate, anticipated that the
future would be entirely free from difficulties. But it was hoped
that the two races in Palestine would so adjust their national
aspirations as to render possible the establishment of a single
self-governing commonwealth under a unitary Government.
This hope has, unfortunately, not been fulfilled. The reasons
for its non-fulfilment are admirably set forth in Chapter 20 of
the report of the Royal Commission. . . . Stated briefly, their
conclusion is that the attempt has failed, not from any fault on
the part of the Administration, or from any hesitation in apply
ing the mandate, but because the conflict between Arab and
Jewish political aspirations, which was inherent in the situa
tion from the first, has tended to be confirmed by certain pro
visions of the mandate itself. It has, moreover, been intensified,
not only by the estranging forces of conditions inside Palestine,
but perhaps even more by external factors beyond the control
o^Jhe British Administration in Palestine.
® These external factors fall into two main sections. Firstly,
^^here has been a growth of anti-semitism, and the development
<)f new economic and social conditions, in certain European
countries, which have resulted in increased desire on the part
of the Jews, and increased pressure on His Majesty’s Govern
ment to find room in Palestine for largely increased numbers
of Jewish refugees. Secondly, there has been the growth of
Arab nationalism throughout the Arabic-speaking countries and
their increasing concern in the future political destiny of
Palestine.
“ I am anxious to avoid over-statement, but I do wish to
say, with all the emphasis in my power, that these new factors,
which no one could have foreseen when the mandate was
drawn up and approved by the Council, have transformed the
whole situation and have created a new set of conditions under