NOTES IN YOUNGINDIA

BY GANDHI

APRIL 6 1921

 

Do the Muslims claim Palestine, or will theyrestore it to the Jews who are the original owners?

The Muslims claim Palestine as an integral part of Jazirat-ul-Arab. They arebound to retain its custody, as an injunction of the Prophet. But that does notmean that the Jews and the Christians cannot freely go to Palestine, or evenreside there and own property. What non-Muslims cannot do is to acquiresovereign jurisdiction. The Jews cannot receive sovereign rights in a placewhich has been held for centuries by Muslim powers by right of religiousconquest. The Muslim soldiers did not shed their blood in the late War for thepurpose of surrendering Palestine out of Muslim control. I would like my Jewishfriends to impartially consider the position of the seventy million Muslims ofIndia. As a free nation, can they tolerate what they must regard as atreacherous disposal of their sacred possession?