Introduction
The text of the British Mandate was discussed for several years, and it came into operation in 1923. The Mandate addressed the relationships between Jewish people and Palestinians who could start “reconstituting their national home” (Laqueur, 1995, p. 30). The document addressed various issues.
However, some of the most important articles deal with the rights of Palestinian people with a specific focus on ethnicity and religious peculiarities. This paper will examine articles 9, 11, 13, 14, 15 of the British Mandate as these articles concentrate on issues that often lead to conflicts.
Brief Description of the Articles
Article 9 of the Mandatory is concerned with the establishment of the judicial system that should secure the rights of natives and foreigners. It is noted that the right to practice any religion and other basic rights of people will be secured. The article is important as it stimulates people’s right to practice the religion they want and enjoy basic rights. Article 13 is closely connected with the previous one as it addresses Palestinians’ right to preserve their religious sites in accordance with their traditions.
The Mandatory is responsible for proper management of the sites and securing free access of people to the sites. It is also quite important as disputes on the way religious sites should be managed often occur and leads to conflicts, but the establishment of a body that regulates these issues will prevent any misunderstanding or conflicts. The next article (14) is closely connected with the previous ones as well since it deals with religious issues.
In article 14, it is noted that a Commission will be established to define and secure the rights of different religious communities living in Palestine. Article 15 is concerned with people’s rights when it comes to religious practice and cultural development. Thus, it is stipulated that no one can be discriminated and everyone can exercise “all forms of worship, subject only to the maintenance of public order and morals, are ensured to all” (Laqueur, 1995, p. 34).
Importantly, it is also noted that communities are free to establish their schools (in their language) and develop their culture. Unlike previous articles that focus on religious issues, article 11 dwells upon resource issues. It is clear that in the territories where the diverse population lives, various conflicts may occur.
The Mandatory claims that there will be a land system developed to regulate such issues and make sure that Palestinians and people who reside in the area will be able to use the resources. It is noteworthy that this article stands out against the other four as it concentrates on specific property issues while the other articles are concerned with spiritual issues.
Critical Analysis of the Articles
It is clear that regulations help people live as they understand what can be done and what can be regarded as an offense (and can be punished). Palestine has been the territory where people of different ethnicities and religious backgrounds have to co-exist. The Mandatory was one of the documents that helped people in such a specific area. The articles mentioned above are particularly important for the area as they address issues arising from the diversity of religious beliefs.
Smith (2001, p. 29) argues that Muslims, Jews, Christians, and other minorities inhabited the area. Clearly, it is essential to regulate the actions of different religious groups in the area where people pertaining to different confessions use similar sites for worship. Thus, article 9 is one of the most crucial and most general as it stipulates equal rights of people.
Article 11 is very important as it stipulates the right of Palestinians to use the resources, but the article is rather general, and it is not clear what kind of land system will be developed. Smith (2001, p. 40) notes that land issues often led to conflicts at the beginning of the twentieth century. Articles 13 and 14 are vital for the region as religion is very important for people. They pay a lot of attention to their rituals and practices as well as the maintenance of their religious sites.
Of course, it was important for people to understand that they were free to practice their religions and bring up their children in accordance with their religious beliefs and traditions. Notably, Article 15 regulates the management of religious sites, which is important as people may have different views on the matter. This way, the Mandatory takes responsibility for the protection of every community living on the territory of Palestine and for the maintenance of peace and order without the needless use of force and disruption of stability.
Conclusion
On balance, it is possible to note that the British Mandate is an important document that declares people’s equality irrespective of religious beliefs. Some articles provide quite specific guidance, but they are also quite general and need more details. This imperfection can be one of the reasons why the area is still prone to numerous conflicts.
People received certain regulations, but the article turned out to be quite ineffective as people violate them that often. Of course, it is impossible to underestimate the document that proclaimed equality among people who lived in a society where many groups and even communities had been discriminated against.
Reference List
Laqueur, W. (1995). The Israel-Arab reader: A documentary history of the Middle East conflict. New York, NY: Penguin Books.
Smith, C. D. (2001). Palestine and the Arab-Israeli conflict. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s.