British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume II - Page 934

CHAPTER XXII.

claimed that even if the Jews had been allowed to become a majority in Jerusalem, contrary to the will of the Arab majority throughout Palestine, the appointment of a mayor was not governed solely by localized application of the mechanics of democratic procedure.

133. The rival claims of Arabs and Jews thus tended to become in microcosm a reflection of the wider dispute over Palestine. To the Arabs the appointment of a Jewish mayor symbolised Jewish domination over the entire country : while to the Jews it was another step forward towards the -attainment of their aspirations and the revival of the ancient Jewish rule founded by David's conquest of the Jebusite city. The Christian Arabs sided with the Moslems in the dispute and treated it as a national rather than as a religious issue.

134. Thus both Arabs and Jews were at one in regarding the dispute as infinitely more important than a mere quarrel over f.he appointment. of a mayor. Ancient tradition, religion, history and the incompatible claims of secular nationalism were alike involved. To the Jews Jerusalem is their ancient capital and religious centre, towards which mill ions of Jews throughout the Diaspora have turned with longing. To the Moslems it is the place to which the Prophet Muhammed first turned in prayer, and tee symbol of a Moslem domination that lasted for approximately 1200 years. To the Christian Arabs, accustomed by the precedent of centuries to Moslem temporal sway over the Holy Places, the appointment of a Jewish mayor was a sign that the Arabs of Palestine were finally being displaced from their homeland.

135. Under the pressure of rival nationalist claims the cooperation of Arabs and Jews in the work of the Council became rapidly more precarious. In May, 1944, the Jewish members left the Council and returned only after the intervention of the District Administration. On 24th •August, 1944, the Moslem mayor, Mustafa Bey el Khalidi , C.B.K, died and the Jewish deputy mayor, Mr. Daniel Auster, was appointed as acting mayor. The composition of the Municipal Council after Mustafa Bey's death was as follows:-

Acting Mayor Deputy Mayor Councillors

Mr. Daniel Auster

Anton Effendi Atallah Anastas Effendi Hanania Nafez Effendi Husseini Subhi Effendi Dajani Adel Effendi .T abr

(Jew)

(Christian Arab) (Christian Arab) (Moslem) (Moslem) (Moslem)

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