867N.01/1667
The Minister Resident in Iraq (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 17.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that the Mufti of Jerusalem arrived unexpectedly in Baghdad yesterday, thus joining a number of the Palestine Arab leaders who have been filtering into this city recently and who are reported to be as follows:
- Fauzi al-Qaoogchi
Commander-in-Chief of the Rebellion three years ago; - Araif Abdul Razzak
Present Commander-in-Chief of the Rebellion; - Shaikh Hassan Salama
Commanding Officer of the Southern Area of the Rebellion; - Amin al Tamimi
Member of the Higher Arab Committee and Member of the Palestine Delegation at the Round Table Conference at London; - Abdullah al Umari
Secretary of the Higher Arab Committee; - Jamal al Husseini
President of the Palestine Mission to London - Jalil al Shaikh Hassan Abu Su’ood
Active proponent of the Arab cause in Palestine; - Ishaaq Darwish
Active proponent of the Arab cause in Palestine; - Musa al Alim
Prominent Palestine lawyer; - Khalid al Farah;
- Wasif Kamal;
- Hanna Khalaf.
The significance of the presence of these persons in Baghdad is not yet definitely apparent, nor is it known whether it is their intention to remain here indefinitely or until the settlement of the European conflict. In taking various factors into consideration one might reasonably believe it possible or even probable that these Palestinians intend to make Baghdad a base for the development of their future plans and projects. In any event they are in sympathetic surroundings and will no doubt receive sympathetic encouragement. I cannot believe that the British would view their presence with any degree of satisfaction, but whether they are willing or able to do anything about it remains to be seen. However, I will keep in touch with this important situation and keep the Department as fully informed as possible.
Respectfully yours,