The previous article discussed the intransigence of the British political stance regarding Palestinian demands, and the grievance presented by the “Third Palestinian Arab Congress” to the British government and Parliament, denouncing the Balfour Declaration. Palestinians and their various societies expressed their discontent and rejection of the British Mandate and the “Balfour Declaration”; in an international description, it was called: “A gift from one who does not possess to one who does not deserve.”
In March 1952, Balfour visited Jerusalem to participate in the opening of the Hebrew University. Prior to that, he had visited Alexandria where he was welcomed by the Jewish community in a meeting that lasted nearly two hours. An Al-Ahram newspaper correspondent reported on that visit: “Many Jewish dignitaries in the city (Alexandria), along with a Zionist committee and a group of students from Jewish schools, went to the port to welcome Lord Balfour. At four o’clock, the ship Esperia docked at the western port, then the Zionist committee boarded the ship, led by one of the rabbis, and left after a short while, as the railway authority had prepared a special saloon car to transport Lord Balfour and his entourage to Cairo,” where he was hosted by Lord Allenby. The streets of Cairo were filled with demonstrations denouncing the visit, the largest of which was in “Azbakeya Garden”; the demonstrators were subjected to harsh treatment.
Al-Ahram newspaper reported protests from across the Arab world: “While the train carrying Balfour was advancing towards Palestine, protest letters and telegrams poured into the offices of the Al-Ahram newspaper; one of them was sent in the name of the Syrian community in Egypt and addressed to Balfour, declaring: ‘We condemn your unjust declaration, we will not relinquish our usurped rights, and we will continue our struggle until the end in the hope of realizing our national aspirations.’ The telegram was signed by more than 20 people, including Shukri al-Quwatli, who would later become President of Syria. Another telegram was sent by the Jordanian community in Egypt, reminding Balfour that he was on his way to ‘the country whose freedom your despicable promise has destroyed,’ adding (the telegram) that Balfour’s arrival ‘will only increase the Palestinians’ attachment to their country.'”
However, these protests had no effect on Balfour or deterred him from his political course!! As for the city of Jerusalem, its people declared strikes in protest against this visit, and without a doubt, the British Mandate government in Jerusalem had prepared for the possible disturbances at the time of the visit; as the British Secretary of War announced that armored cavalry forces were sent from Egypt to Palestine to suppress any disturbances; at the same time that Balfour was visiting the Zionist settlement of Qara where he was warmly welcomed, then he went to the city of Tel Aviv – the new Jewish city – near Jaffa – where British and Zionist flags were raised above houses and institutions; and crowds of men, women, and students rushed to greet him, carrying banners with his picture on their necks. Then Balfour moved to visit another Israeli settlement. In complete disregard for Arab and Palestinian demands, Balfour insisted on reaffirming his promise to establish a national home for the Jews in Palestine. Balfour’s visit lasted two weeks in a country filled with unrest and protests!!
However, these protests had no effect on Balfour or deterred him from his political course!! As for the city of Jerusalem, its people declared strikes in protest against this visit, and without a doubt, the British Mandate government in Jerusalem had prepared for the possible disturbances at the time of the visit; as the British Secretary of War announced that armored cavalry forces were sent from Egypt to Palestine to suppress any disturbances; at the same time that Balfour was visiting the Zionist settlement of Qara where he was warmly welcomed, then he went to the city of Tel Aviv – the new Jewish city – near Jaffa – where British and Zionist flags were raised above houses and institutions; and crowds of men, women, and students rushed to greet him, carrying banners with his picture on their necks. Then Balfour moved to visit another Israeli settlement. In complete disregard for Arab and Palestinian demands, Balfour insisted on reaffirming his promise to establish a national home for the Jews in Palestine. Balfour’s visit lasted two weeks in a country filled with unrest and protests!!!”
The Palestinian people, both Muslims and Christians, concentrated their efforts on trying to stop the establishment of a Zionist state, which led the British occupation to try to destroy the unity of the people by causing divisions between the large Palestinian families; and to a large extent, it succeeded, which resulted in the emergence of parties opposed to the Arab Executive Committee, which was leading the efforts of the Palestinian people; and caused a split in the ranks. During that period, Britain exploited its high commissioners in Jerusalem to realize its dream of establishing a homeland for the Jews, including Herbert Samuel who issued the Immigration Law in 1920, which allowed thousands of Jews – about 16,500 – to enter Palestine, and he also issued a number of laws to allow Jews to own Palestinian land and obtain Palestinian citizenship.
Speaking of Al-Quds is endless for stories of beautiful Egypt is endless
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
