Arab Independence and Unity. A note on the Arab cause with particular reference to Palestine and suggestions for a permanent settlement to which are attached texts of all the relevant documents.

AS-SA'ID, Nuri.

Published by Baghdad: Printed at the Government Press, 1943

About this Item

First edition, marked "confidential - not for publication" and consequently scarce. Nuri's "Blue Book" of 1943 suggests that Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Transjordan should be reunited into one state, "with a measure of autonomy for the Jews in Palestine and (if they demanded it) a privileged regime for the Maronites in Lebanon; and there should be an Arab League" (Hourani, p. 294). Nuri Pasha as-Said(1888-1958) served as prime minister of Iraq on several occasions, "remaining faithful to two dominant policies: a pro-British attitude and support of theHashemitedynasty" (Ency. Brit.). After the 1941 coup, he fled Iraq but returned following British intervention, serving again as prime minister from 1941 to 1944. In his prefatory letter to Richard Casey, Churchill's Minister-Resident for the Middle East, he remarks on "Zionist" propaganda acting to the detriment of Anglo-Arab relations. He follows this with a 12-page note on Arab independence and unity, succeeded by historical documents going back to the First World War, including the Balfour Declaration, concluding with the 3-page Churchill Memorandum of 1922 (printed separately and sometimes missing), which reaffirmed support for the Balfour Declaration and a Jewish national home in Palestine, while reassuring Arabs by limiting Jewish immigration. Albert Hourani, Arabic Thought in the Liberal Age 1798-1939, 2003. Octavo. Separately printed Churchill Memorandum pinned to rear free endpaper. Original blue cloth, front cover lettered in black. Binding a just little rubbed at extremities, a few marks to covers, staples of the Churchill Memorandum rusted and staining gutter of last page: very good.

Seller Inventory # 192802

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Arab Independence and Unity. A note on the Arab cause with particular reference to Palestine and suggestions for a permanent settlement to which are attached texts of all the relevant documents.
• Publisher: Baghdad: Printed at the Government Press, 1943
• Edition: 1st Edition