The Palestinians’ Conflict between the Supporters (Majlisiyeen) and their Opponents during 1920- 1934 and the Role of the Mandate Authorities in Stirring and Strengthening it (Municipal Elections as a Model)

Abstract

The study is about the Palestinians’ conflict between the Supporters and

their Opponents during the twenties and thirties of the twentieth century, and

the role of the Mandate Authorities in stirring the conflict and strengthening

it. It is also about their conflict in conferences resulted in producing a

weak executive committee which affected negatively the performance of the

Palestinian leadership during that era.

The study numerates the reasons why the Mandate Authorities did not

conduct municipal election during the British Mandatory in Palestine except

twice; the reasons for choosing Al Nashashibi to lead the opposition, and

the way he became the mayor of Jerusalem Municipality. The study showed

how the Mandate Authorities took advantage of the Ottoman Municipal law

which was issued in 1877 for the benefits of the Jews, and the reasons for its

amendment throughout the two Municipal Ordinances that were issued in

1926 and 1929. The Mandate Authorities issued the elections law in 1934 to

be the foundation of the Jerusalem Municipality.

The study clarifies the form of municipal elections that took place in

1927 and 1934 and the motives behind not holding the elections except twice

during the Mandate period, the reasons that made the Mandate Authorities

call to hold it, and the competition between the Supporters and the Opponents

during the elections and its impact on the results. The study highlights the

double standard policy that was adopted by the Mandate Authorities in

discriminating between the Arabs and Jews.