867N.01/5–24/6: Telegram
The Consul General at Jerusalem ( Pinkerton ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:53 p.m.]
136, Committee report has been discussed at length by Jewish Agency Executive which has decided to issue no statement pending indication of action to be taken by British Government. Am advised general feeling of Executive was favorable to immediate concessions to refugees but was bitterly opposed to parts of report denying basic [Page 591] Zionist political aims. One member Political Department said “Zionist political aims have been sacrificed to philanthropy.”
Arabs were not surprised at contents of report but have nevertheless reacted violently. Higher Committee has called general Arab strike for May 3, has decided to increase its membership to 40 possibly with view to action and sporadic disturbances are expected. Reception being held today by Iraqi Consul General for birthday of King of Iraq was cancelled yesterday “because of situation in Palestine”. Jamal Husseini26 in public statement said Arabs everywhere would fight implementation of report particularly immigration of hundred thousand and indicated his belief report was made under American pressure. Police state there is distinct possibility of Mufti27 coming to Damascus and if he should be able to do so immediate uprising of Arab population is expected.28
- Jamal al-Husseini, leading member of the Arab Higher Committee.↩
- The Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin el-Husseini.↩
- In telegram 140, May 4, 1946, noon, from Jerusalem, Mr. Pinkerton reported that the Arab Higher Committee had sent a letter to Prime Minister Attlee rejecting the Committee report as an outcome of Anglo-American political expediency and denouncing it as a violation of previous commitments to the Arabs, of the Atlantic Charter, and of Allied principles. The letter announced that “pending the decision of the British Govt, the Arabs will proceed to organize their national forces, and to prepare means of defense in order to resume our national struggle.” (867N.01/5–446)↩