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Arab Newspaper Launches Attack on Fake Leaders; Says the Cause Riots

February 15, 1934
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A sensational article bitterly attacking the present Arab leadership was published today in al Akbar (News), Arabic bi-weekly of this city. Warning the Arabs that they were being misled by “self-appointed and self-interested” leaders, the paper termed arab leadership “the curse of Allah.”

“They pose as friends, but they are our enemies,” Al Akbar declared. “From time to time they call upon the population to preserve the peace while they incite against it. They are like those who pour out gasolene to start a fire, and then call for water to extiguish it.”

Addressing itself to the Arab leaders the paper asked: “Whom do you deceive ? How many riots have you instigated ? What is the country’s beefit from you ? Who of you has undertaken to support the families of the killed and wounded and those imprisoned ? How long will you continue to delude the poor people ?”

The article also points out that these new effendis cannot be believed, and that they are not real leaders as they are neither noble, learned or rich. Their sole concern, the paper said, “is to en#dnger other people’s lives so that they can prove to the government that they are the Arah leaders and men of authority. It one of these leaders is asked for a £100 loan, he asks for £30 in interest and that is their nationalism. Their weapons are lies, libels and agitations,” the article concluded.

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