Congressional Record

June 30, 1922 – U.S. House of Representatives
Discussing Resolution 322

December 12, 2019 | Eli E. Hertz

In discussing the Jewish rights to Palestine, Representative Walter M. Chandler from New York provides clear options for the pathway to statehood. Here, Chandler expresses his views upon the Arab question in Palestine:

“(1) That the Arabs shall be permitted to remain in Palestine under Jewish government and domination, and with their civil and religious rights guaranteed to them through the British mandate and under terms of the Balfour declaration.”

“(2) That if they will not consent to Jewish government and domination, they shall be required to sell their lands at a just valuation and retire into the Arab territory which has been assigned to them by the League of Nations in the general reconstruction of the countries of the east.”

“(3) That if they will not consent to Jewish government and domination, under conditions of right and justice, or to sell their lands at a just valuation and to retire into their own countries, they shall be driven from Palestine by force.”

Congressional intention was for Jewish statehood to include a peaceful transition. Instead, Arabs in Palestine and in surrounding territories had other plans. It is easy to blame Israel for the current problems facing the Arab Palestinians, but their own actions throughout history – including decades of rejectionism and hatred – have proven that they are victims of their own doing.