صالحية، محمد عيسى. مدينة القدس: السكان و الأرض (العرب و اليهود) ۱٢۷٥-۱۳٦٨ھ/۱٨٥٨-۱٩٤٨م. بيروت: مركز الزيتونة للدراسات و الاستشارات، ۲۰٠٩، ۱٢٥ص.
Salihiyah, Muhammad ʻIsa. Madinat al-Quds: al-Sukkan wa-al-Ard (al-ʻArab wa-al-Yahud) 1275-1368 AH./ 1858-1948 CE. Beirut: Markaz al-Zaytunah lil-Dirasat wa-al-Istisharat, 2009, 125pp.
ABSTRACT
Jerusalem: Its land and inhabitants (Arab and Jewish): 1275-1368AH/1858-1948AD
مدينة القدس: السكان و الأرض (العرب و اليهود) ۱٢۷٥-۱۳٦٨ھ/۱٨٥٨-۱٩٤٨م
Through its two chapters, this book follows the historical changes which affected Jerusalem and its residents, both Arab and Jewish, over a ninety year period from Ottoman rule to the British occupation. However, it starts with a concise overview of the situation of Arabs and Jews in Jerusalem during the sixteenth and seventeenth century.
The work sheds light on the measures used by the Zionists to circumvent regulations, and the measures which helped in enabling them to emigrate, settle and take over lands during the Ottoman era. It also depicts the negligible number of foreign Jews with no property prior to the beginning of the seventeenth century. It discusses the Jews’ departure and settlement outside the town due to deteriorating economic circumstances.
The book indicates that the Jews did not consider Jerusalem as important at that time. The study also highlights the role played by the British occupation in al-Nakbah (the catastrophe) along with the legislation and laws which helped consolidate the Zionist movement. This transpired despite the fact that Zionists had failed to gain more than 6% of Palestinian land during a span of about one century.
The author reinforces his contentions with Sharia court records and municipal minutes from Jerusalem – whether Ottoman, Israeli, American or British – in order to explain the settling of Jewish emigrants on Jerusalem’s boundaries and how they managed to take ownership of its space. Indeed copies of many of the documents are included by the author in a dedicated appendix.
The book contains an abundant list of Arabic and foreign sources, including detailed information on all of the documents relied upon by the author. It also presents a number of tables charting the development of Jerusalem’s population during the relevant time frame examined by the book. These documents depict the failure of the Zionist movement to establish their settlement aims, leading them to launch a war with the help of Western forces.
The book has a fluid style and is detailed and well organised. By appending important documents, the author has provided a rich source of reference for researchers and general readers alike who are interested in Jerusalem’s fate.
Dahlia Sabry
Translated by Hugh Lovatt