The Arab Delegates 1930

In a letter published in a number of newspapers Unionist MP Sir Martin Conway wrote of the Arab Delegation attending talks in London in 1930 on the future of Palestine. In the letter he writes: “It is well-known that the Arabs of Palestine, far from being a united body, are divided into traditionally and violently hostile factions……Any appearance of union among these warring elements, even when whipped up against the Balfour Declaration and the Mandate, is likely to be deceptive. It is highly improbable that the Arab Delegation when it arrives in London, will in fact represent the reasoned opinion of the Arab community as a whole.”

This letter received this response from Labour MP Ernest Bennett published in the Daily Herald 20th February 1930 “It is unfair and ungenerous on the part of Sir Martin Conway endeavour to prejudice public opinion against the Arab delegation before it reaches our shores and presents it case. This is the sort of treatment which makes the Palestinian Arabs sometimes feel that the dice are loaded against them and it is hopeless to expect any fair hearing for their grievances.

There may of course be differences of opinion amongst the Arabs….But in one common purpose all Palestinian Arabs, Christians and Moslems alike, are definitely united - the attainment of the self-government promised them by Great Britain.”

Another reply came from one JW Poynter in the East London Observer who wrote

“to express regret at the letter of Sir Martin Conway MP. The essential problem as between Arabs and Zionists is the alleged determination the zionists to dominate Palestine, although the Arabs are a majority of five to six to one of the population. Such determination would conflict with the terms of the Mandate, which say that the rights of non-Jewish communities must not be prejudiced….In what country in the world are there no violently-differing sections of opinion?”