"ملخص ثورة الحجاز" [‎١‎٨] (٣٢/٢٠)

THE ZIONIST MOVEMENT
No account of the Arab movement would be complete without mention of the Zionist movement. This
first took concrete sV>ape upon the British occupation of Jerusalem, when a Zionist Commission, under the
presidency of Dr. Weizmann was formed and left for Palestine in March, 1918. Its avowed objects were: —
(a.) To assist the Zionist colonies in Palestine in material and educational matters.
(b.) To plan future developments.
(c.) To create harmonious relations with the non-Jewish population of Palestine.
It was at first hoped that both Russian an.l American Zionists would be represented on the ('ommission,
but this was found to be impracticable, though a French representative was included. On arrival in Palestine
the commission took over the work of the previously established Zionist Relief Commission.
Though, not unnaturally, some anxiety was caused among 1 the Syrian and Mohammedan population, by
his tactful handling of the situation Dr. Weizmann went far to dispel the atmosphere of distrust due to fear
that the Jews intended to expropriate or buy during the war large tracts of land owned by Moslems and
others, and gradually to force them from the country. He explained it was his ambition to see Palestine
governed by some stable Government like that of Great Britain, that a Jewish Government would be fatal
to his plans, and that it was simply his wish to provide a home for the Jews in the Holy Land where they
could live their own natural life, sharing equal rights with the other inhabitants. There is no doubt that
this frank avowal of Zionist aims produced a considerable revulsion of feeling among the Palestinians,
who tor the first time came into contact with European Jews of gocd standing. They had the conviction
forced upon them that Zionism had come to stay, that it was far more moderate in its aims than had been
anticipated and that if met in a conciliatory spirit they would be more likely to reap substantial benefits iu
the future.
At the beginning of June Dr. Weizmann visited Sherif Feisal in bis camp at Gueira (between Akaba and
Maan), where Zionism, as it affected the Arabs, was discussed. Weizmann and Feisal established excellent
personal relations, and Feisal expressed his opinion of the necessity for close co-operation between Jews
and Arabs, especially at that moment, but stated he himself was unable to ex iresdefinite opinions un
political questions, as he was only his fathers agent in such matters. The meeting ended with cordial
expressions of mutual sympathy and an invitation from Feisal to renew the meeting after Weizmann's visit
to America.
In addition to setting afloat financial schemes for the alleviation of the Jewish colonies the commission
took over the administration of the pro-German Helfsverein schools, laid the foundation stone of a Hebrew
University on Mount Scopus, and made considerable progress in the difficult task of uniting the community
of poor Jews in Jerusalem. Large schemes were also formulated for the reclamation of land, and irrigation,
and a numher of young Jews were enlisted for service against the Turks. The importance of this Zionist-
movement has not been lost sight of by the enemy Powers. No sooner had the British declaration of the
2nd November, 1917, been made, than pressure was put on the German Government to take some action in
reply. On the 31st December Talaat Pasha indicated to the correspondent of the Vo<ttsche Zeitung that he
was prepared to offer German Zionists some form of Chartered Company, local self-government of a verv
limited character and immigration to Palestine. Negotiations at Berlin by his representative Carasso followed
in January, in which various Jewish organisations took part. A new combination of Jewish societies was
also formed entitled the Vereinigung Judiscfier Organisatiouen Deutschlands zvr Wahrnng der Rechte des Oaten
(V.J.O.D.), with the object of defending Jewish interests in Eastern Europe and Palestine. Tnis was
originally intended to be an anti-Zionist corporation, but was eventually joined by German Zionists who
regarded its programme as representing the minimum only. The large percentage of Jews in the territories
in Eastern Europe penetrated by Germany made the German Government anxious to obtain some concessions
from the Turks, with whom further negotiations were opened at Constantinople in July, 1918. Prominent
Zionists were represented and concessions on the lines laid down by Talaat Pasha were subsequently
announced. It is not, however, considered that these will satisfy either German Zionists or Zionists in neutral
countriei who since the Allied declarations have tended to show more and more sympathy with the Entente.
But it cannot be expected that this Zionist movement from the other side of the line will pay the same
deference to Arab aspirations and susceptibilities as will that inspired by Dr. Weizmann.
APPENDIX H.
TURKISH INTERPOSITION BETWEEN MAIN BRITISH FORCES AND ARABS.
Amman Operations at the end. of March. —The enemy anticipated a British move on Amman, but when on
the 26th March he received reliable information that British cavalry would enter the town that day, he
appears to have been surprised, since orders, which had been issued on and after the 14th March for the
concentration of reinforcments,* had not had time to take effect; with the result that the four Staffs. Army,
Group, Corps, and Divisional, at Amman were actually protected during the British attack by only
1,500 lifles, probably comprising the remnants of the 48th Division and the 703rd German Battalion.
* 12Gth Regiment, Mule M.I. Regiment, 2nd Squadron 29th Cavalry Regiment, 607th and 608th
Machine-gun Companies, 7ih Battery 27th Mixed Artillery Regiment, with the Machine-gun Company of this
regiment, 2 guns 8th Powerful Mountair. Battery of 44th Artillery Regiment, 7th Q.F. Mountain Battery
Hth Artillery Regiment. All the above were ordered from the south in addition to those mentioned below
form the north and west.