QUESTION OF AN INTERNATIONAL REGIME FOR THE JERUSALEM
AREA AND PROTECTION OF THE HOLY PLACES
Statement dated 14 February 1950 of the Committee
for the Arab Property Owners in Jerusalem
Note by the Secretariat: The following statement of the “Committee for the Arab Property Owners in Jerusalem” dated 14 February 1950 was received by the President of the Trusteeship Council and is hereby circulated to the members of the Council.
“Should the internationalization scheme of the United Nations be implemented in Jerusalem, the Arab population would be ready to co-operate with the authorities and with other sectors of the population of Jerusalem – including the Jews who would be ready to abide by the international rule – for the welfare and progress of the International City of Jerusalem.”
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1. |
ORGANIZATION: |
“COMMITTEE FOR THE ARAB PROPERTY OWNERS IN JERUSALEM” |
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ESTABLISHED: |
On 14 November 1949, at a general and representative meeting held at the headquarters of the Arab Chamber of Commerce in Jerusalem (Old City). |
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BACKGROUND AND REPRESENTATION |
The Arab owners of movable and immovable pro-perties in the Jewish-held area of Jerusalem had refrained from taking any organized action before because of the proposed internationalization scheme for Jerusalem. However, when it became apparent that there was a strong tendency to bisect the City with the corresponding danger of property loss for Arab owners, a considerable number of these decided to organize this Committee to claim for their rights and defend their interests. A general meeting was therefore convoked and was attended by over 300 first class owners of Arab properties, which formerly accommodated some 70,000 Arabs, in the Jewish-held zone of Jerusalem. |
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ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES: |
The Committee was formed by the following nine Members: ANWAR NASHASHIBI (President) MOHAMMAD TAHER DAOUDI GEORGE J. SAID HAJ TAHER BARAKET ANTON ALBINA TWEFIC HABASH NICOLA ZEPHIRIADES ANISTAS HANANIA HAJ MOHAMMAD SHAHIN |
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In addition was appointed an Administrative Secretary, whose name and address are given below: ALI’ DAJANI C/o Arab Chamber of Commerce Jaffa Gate Jerusalem (Old City) |
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AIMS AND PURPOSES: |
(i) To demand restitution of the Arab properties and allow their rightful owners to take possession of them; (ii) To demand compensation for the loss of movable property that was left in their homes by the Arab owners, and for the proceeds of rents accumulated on account of the Jewish unlawful use of these properties; (iii) To authorize the elected Committee to Press forward the above demands and to co-opt any capable personalities who might be helpful in realizing the aims of the Committee; (iv) To collect financial contributions to satisfy the necessary expenses of the Committee operations. |
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MESSAGES AND DOCUMENTS: |
Annex A – Act of Constitution of the Committee, Signed by the attendants of the general meeting (English version of Arabic text by the Admin. Secr. Ali’ Dajani). Annex B – Telegram to H.M. King Abdullah, Amman. Annex C – Telegram to Secretary-General of United Nations. Mr. Trygve Lie. |
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EARINGS BEFORE INTERNATIONAL BODIES: |
None, so far. |
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RECENT ACTIVITIES: |
On the basis of a questionnaire now being circulated among the members, factual data and statistics on properties and their estimated value will soon be produced. |
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“JERUSALEM
14 November 1949
ACT OF CONSTITUTION OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE
ARAB PROPERTY OWNERS IN JERUSALEM
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We, the undersigned, owners of Arab property in Jewish possession in Jerusalem, at our meeting held at the offices of the Arab Chamber of Commerce in Jerusalem, hereby resolve to demand restitution of the Arab properties and the return of same to their rightful owners, and also compensation for the loss of movable property that has been left by Arabs, as well as compensation for the unlawful use of these properties by Jews.
Therefore, we hereby elect a Committee of nine persons, namely Anwar Nashashibi, Mohammad Taher Daoudi, George Said, Haj Taher Baraket, Anton Albina, Tewfic Habash, Nicola Zephiriades, Anistas Hanania and Haj Mohammad Shahin, to undertake the execution of the decision of the meeting on our behalf. We furthermore empower the said persons to co-opt any capable personalities who might be helpful in realizing the aims of the Committee.
(Secretary: Ali’Dajani)
(Some 300 signatures follow)”
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English version of the Arabic text, by the Admin. Sec. Ali’ Dajani.
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“Jerusalem
14 November 1949
Telegram sent to H.M. King Abdullah
To the Court Chamberlain
AMMAN
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The congress of owners of Arab properties at present in Jewish possession in Jerusalem beg to express their loyalty to His Majesty the King and appeal for His Majesty’s help to rescue the Arab properties and have them returned to their owners.
Whole Arab quarters are in Jewish hands and the properties of Jews in mixed quarters are less than the Arab properties.
We have great faith in His Majesty to restore our properties.
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Chairman: Anwar Nashashibi Secretary: Ali’ Dajani.” |
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Mr. Trygve Lie, Secretary-General United Nations, New York |
“JERUSALEM 14 November 1949 |
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OWNERS OF ARAB PROPERTIES FORMERLY ACCOMMODATING MORE THAN 70,000 ARABS IN JEWISH OCCUPIED AREA OF JERUSALEM STRONGLY DEMAND THE RETURN OF SAME TO THEIR OWNERS STOP COMPLETE ARAB QUARTERS INCLUDING QATAMON, TALBIEH, MAMILLAH, UPPER AND LOWER BAKA’S, MUSRARA, DEIR ABU TOR AND NIKIPHORIA AND MANY OTHER QUARTERS EMBRACING HOLY PLACES SUCH AS NEBI DAOUD CONTINUE TO BE UNDER JEWISH CONTROL WITHOUT LAWFUL GROUND STOP WE STRONGLY OBJECT TO ANY SETTLEMENT OF THE JERUSALEM CASE WHICH WILL NOT INCLUDE THE RETURN OF THESE ARAB QUARTERS TO THEIR OWNERS STOP KINDLY CIRCULATE OUR DEMAND TO ALL MEMBER STATES OF UN POINTING OUT THAT FORCEFUL CONTROL AND OCCUPATION OF THESE PROPERTIES BY THE JEWS IS CONTRARY TO JUSTICE AND EQUITY.
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ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE FOR THE ARAB PROPERTY OWNERS IN JERUSALEM. |
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Chairman: Anwar Nashashibi Secretary: Ali’ Dajani.” |
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Document Type: Statement
Document Sources: Trusteeship Council
Subject: Agenda Item, Holy places, Jerusalem
Publication Date: 07/03/1950