The Weizmann-Feisal Agreement
The first clear attempt at dialogue was in the meetings between Chaim Weizmann, as representative of the Zionist movement, and the Emir Feisal, the head of the Hashemite delegation as "the representative of the Hejaz kingdom and in its name," meetings that led to an agreement in January 1919. The agreement is discussed in varying degrees of detail, from presenting the complete text of the agreement to a few sentences that focus mainly on the foundations that contain recognition of the Jews' aspirations. In two history books used in the state-run school system, the entire a greement is presented in full
(299, The World and the Jews in Recent Generations, Part A: 1870-1920, a high school textbook, p.282; 13, From Exile to Independence - The History of the Jewish People in Recent Generations, A, 1990, pp.205-207).
Another history book states the following: "Weizmann agreed to close cooperation in developing the Arab state and Eretz Yisrael. Feisal agreed to Jewish immigration to Eretz Yisrael."
(217, Imperialism and the First World War, 5742, p.100)
A history book used in the ultra-orthodox network contains the following:
"Arab Regard for the National Home
"When the 'Delegates' Conference' arrived in Eretz Yisrael in 5678 (1918), Dr. Weizmann made a first attempt to obtain the Arabs' consent for the establishment of the National Home. He met with the Emir Feisal, and the two men signed an agreement in which Feisal promised to support the National Home, if the Western powers would also give the Arabs what they promised them."
(20, The History of Recent Generations, vol. b, 1997, p.128)
Another history book used in the general educational stream points to the fact that the Palestinian national movement was not monolithic and united in its opposition to Zionism, but rather there were additional trends:
"After the First World War, two trends were clearly evident in the Palestinian national movement (of the Arabs in Eretz Yisrael):
The first trend - an attempt at dialogue between leaders of the Arab national movement and the Zionist movement.
The second trend - fostering the dream of "Greater Syria" headed by an independent Arab king (Syria was then under British occupation).
"The first trend was expressed in the famous meeting between Weizmann and Feisal at Akaba in 1918, and the signing of an agreement between them in January 1919. Feisal was interested in cooperation with Zionism, not because he was sympathetic to Zionism but rather because he believed that Zionism contained 'tremendous power' and influence which could serve the Arab interest. In other words, it could lead to the applying of international pressure for realizing the Arabs' independence in the Middle East, in exchange for Arab recognition of a Jewish state, immigration and settlement."
(75, Zionism - The Jewish People in Recent Generations, A: 1882-1939, p.120)
The same book contains a letter by Feisal to U.S. Justice Felix Frankfurter, one of the leaders of American Jewry, in which sympathy for Zionism is clearly evident: "We recognize that Arabs and Jews are cousins, and they have suffered persecutions on the part of the powers, who were stronger than they, and are capable, thanks to this happy historic meeting, to jointly take the first step for realizing their national ideals. We Arabs, especially the educated among us, look with deepest sympathy on the Zionist movement ... We will wish the Jews a most hearty welcome home ... We are working together for a reformed and revived Near East, and our two movements complete one another. The Jewish movement is national and not imperialist. Our movement is national and not imperialist, and there is room in Syria for us both. Indeed, I think that neither can be a real success without the other."
(75, Zionism - The Jewish People in Recent Generations, A: 1882-1939, p.129).
In most of the books, the fact that Feisal showed readiness to recognize the Jews' demands for a separate national existence is highlighted. "In all its paragraphs, this agreement places the 'Arab state' and the 'Jewish state' opposite each other - in other words, it recognizes the fact that Eretz Yisrael is not a part of the 'Arab state' and is not itself an Arab state. That is to say, Feisal conceded Eretz Yisrael to the Jews ... From the standpoint of Zionism, this was recognition of Eretz Yisrael's autonomy and of the Balfour Declaration, and was an excellent basis for the gradual and peaceful development of an autonomous Jewish society in Eretz Yisrael."
216.239.51.104
Agreement Between Emir Feisal and Dr. Weizmann
3 January, 1919
Introduction
Following the First World War, Emir Feisal, son of Sherif Hussein (Husayn) of Mecca, and the leader of the Arab movement, met in Aqaba with Dr. Chaim Weizmann, the head of the Zionist Commission to Palestine. Later, at the Paris Peace Conference, the two negotiated and signed the following agreement, which spoke of full cooperation in the development of the independent Arab state in present-day Syria and Iraq (as promised by the British to Feisal) and the Jewish home in Palestine (from the Balfour Declaration), and encouraging "the immigration of Jews into Palestine on a large scale".
The agreement was not carried out, mostly due to the change in Allied policy regarding the Arab State which Feisal had planned to establish.
Agreement Between Emir Feisal and Dr. Weizmann
3 January, 1919
His Royal Highness the Emir Feisal, representing and acting on behalf of the Arab Kingdom of Hedjaz, and Dr. Chaim Weizmann, representing and acting on behalf of the Zionist Organization, mindful of the racial kinship and ancient bonds existing between the Arabs and the Jewish people, and realizing that the surest means of working out the consummation of their natural aspirations is through the closest possible collaboration in the development of the Arab State and Palestine, and being desirous further of confirming the good understanding which exists between them, have agreed upon the following:
Articles:
Article I
The Arab State and Palestine in all their relations and undertakings shall be controlled by the most cordial goodwill and understanding, and to this end Arab and Jewish duly accredited agents shall be established and maintained in the respective territories.
Article II
Immediately following the completion of the deliberations of the Peace Conference, the definite boundaries between the Arab State and Palestine shall be determined by a Commission to be agreed upon by the parties hereto.
Article III
In the establishment of the Constitution and Administration of Palestine, all such measures shall be adopted as will afford the fullest guarantees for carrying into effect the British Government's Declaration of the 2nd of November, 1917.
Article IV
All necessary measures shall be taken to encourage and stimulate immigration of Jews into Palestine on a large scale, and as quickly as possible to settle Jewish immigrants upon the land through closer settlement and intensive cultivation of the soil. In taking such measures the Arab peasant and tenant farmers shall be protected in their rights and shall be assisted in forwarding their economic development.
Article V
No regulation or law shall be made prohibiting or interfering in any way with the free exercise of religion; and further, the free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious test shall ever be required for the exercise of civil or political rights.
Article VI
The Mohammedan Holy Places shall be under Mohammedan control.
Article VII
The Zionist Organization proposes to send to Palestine a Commission of experts to make a survey of the economic possibilities of the country, and to report upon the best means for its development. The Zionist Organization will place the aforementioned Commission at the disposal of the Arab State for the purpose of a survey of the economic possibilities of the Arab State and to report upon the best means for its development. The Zionist Organization will use its best efforts to assist the Arab State in providing the means for developing the natural resources and economic possibilities thereof.
Article VIII
The parties hereto agree to act in complete accord and harmony on all matters embraced herein before the Peace Congress.
Article IX
Any matters of dispute which may arise between the contracting parties hall be referred to the British Government for arbitration.
Given under our hand at London, England, the third day of January, one thousand nine hundred and nineteen
Chaim Weizmann Feisal Ibn-Hussein
Reservation by the Emir Feisal
If the Arabs are established as I have asked in my manifesto of 4 January, addressed to the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, I will carry out what is written in this agreement. If changes are made, I cannot be answerable for failing to carry out this agreement.
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