Text of the Jewish Persecution Law Drafted
by the Political Committee of the Arab League Summary
In 1947, the
Political Committee of the Arab League (League of Arab States) drafted a law
which was to govern the legal status of Jewish residents in all Arab League
countries. This law had already been approved by Egypt, Saudi Arabia and
Iraq, provided that, “beginning with a specified date, all Jews – with the
exception of citizens of non-Arab countries – were to be considered members of
the Jewish ‘minority state of Palestine,’ and that their bank account be frozen
and used to finance resistance to ‘Zionist ambitions in Palestine.’ Jews
believed to be active Zionists would be interned as political prisoners and
their assets confiscated. Only Jews who accept active service in Arab armies or
place themselves at the disposal of these armies would be considered
‘Arabs.’” 1
Excerpts of Direct
Quotes of the Law drafted by the Political Committee of the Arab League
• “All Jewish
citizens…will be considered as members of the Jewish minority of the State of
Palestine and will have to register [“within 7 days”] with the authorities of
the region wherein they reside, giving their names, the exact number of members
in their families, their addresses, the names of their banks and the amounts of
their deposits in these banks…”2
• “Bank
accounts of Jews will be frozen. These funds will be utilized in part or in
full to finance the movement of resistance to Zionist ambitions in Palestine
• “Only Jews
who are subjects of foreign countries will be considered ‘neutrals.’ These will
be compelled either to return to their countries, with a minimum of delay, or
be considered Arabs and obliged to accept active service in the Arab army.”4
• “Every Jew
whose activities reveal that he is an active Zionist will be considered as a
political prisoner and will be interned in places specifically designated for
that purpose by police authorities or by the Government. His financial
resources, instead of being frozen, will be confiscated.”5
• “Any Jew
who will be able to prove that his activities are anti-Zionist will be free to
act as he likes, provided that he declares his readiness to join the Arab
armies.”6
• “The
foregoing…does not mean that those Jews will not be submitted to paragraphs 1
and 2 of this law.”7
1 Memorandum
Submitted to the U.N. Economic and Social Council by the World Jewish Congress.
(Jan. 19, 1948 ) Section
I. June 2, 1948 . [ZIIC - This reference is in the document
prepared by JJAC and is probably incorrect]
2 Text of the Law
drafted by the Political Committee of the Arab League. Paragraph 1.
3 ibid. Paragraph
2.
4 ibid. Paragraph
3.
5 ibid. Paragraph
5.
6 ibid. Paragraph
6.
7 ibid. Paragraph
7. (Paragraph 1 & 2 indicate all Jews must register and disclose personal
and banking information and
that bank accounts
will be frozen and utilized for anti-Zionist resistance.)
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