Proclamation issued by the British High Commissioner John Chancellor regarding testimonies on the outbreak of the 1929 riots. Greek Monastery Press, Jerusalem, 1929.
The proclamation before us, published on 4 September 1929, refers to the violent events of August 1929 and announces that “the courts which will try the criminal cases arising out of the recent disturbances will be composed of British judges, ” placing equal suspicion on both Jews and Arabs: “Since it is known that crimes of various kinds have been committed both by Arabs and by Jews, they will be brought to trial before the courts established according to the ordinance I issued yesterday…”. The proclamation further announces the establishment of an official commission of inquiry into the events, headed by British judge Walter Shaw (“Shaw Commission”), and emphasizes that this does not affect the existence of the British Mandate. It states that His Majesty’s Government continues its efforts toward the fulfillment of the Balfour Declaration concerning “the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine.”
In response to the events of August 1929 (the 1929 riots), the British High Commissioner John Chancellor (Chancellor), who was in London at the time, hastily returned to the country following the outbreak of violence. His reactions to the events resembled a zigzag, as he repeatedly changed his stance within a short period of time. His initial response was the publication of a sharply worded condemnation blaming the Arabs for instigating the riots (see Dynasty auction 30, Item 15). Apparently, following the Arab outrage that erupted in response, just a few hours later—under pressure—he wrote to the British government, urging it to reduce, if not entirely revoke, its commitment to Zionism. In his statement, he claimed that the Balfour Declaration had been “a colossal blunder.” A few days later, he once again retracted his sweeping position and issued the present proclamation, in which he places equal blame on both Jews and Arabs for the outbreak of the riots and announces that an investigation will be held until the truth is fully uncovered. Britain’s commitment to the Balfour Declaration, he asserts, remains unchanged.
Approximately 54×42 cm. Fold marks. Good condition.
