The Haj - Leon Uris [31]
‘Can it be otherwise?’ Bockmann’s voice had a touch of astonishment.
‘How do you see things developing in Palestine?’
‘Act one,’ Bockmann said. ‘The British Mandate is floundering. A carefully orchestrated Arab uprising, led by yourself, could collapse the mandate. Act two. With the British gone, the Jews are naked. With your proven ability you can unite the Moslem world against them and drive them out, eradicate them. Act three. A grateful Hitler would support your claims to leadership in the Arab world.’
It was heady stuff. To do the German’s bidding, would he be trading a British tyrant for a German tyrant? No, he had a special hold. No matter what Hitler ultimately did with organized religions, he would be extremely unwise to tamper with Islam. As Hitler’s bridge to Islam, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem would be in a position of immense power.
‘By tradition,’ Haj Amin said, ‘Palestine also includes the eastern bank of the Jordan River, the so-called Emirate of Trans-Jordan. One has to consider that we are also part and parcel of the Syrian province.’
Bockmann snapped his head in a half bow. ‘Berlin looks favorably on your interpretation of the old Turkish boundaries.’
‘Dear Gustav,’ the Mufti said. ‘That is precisely what the British told Sharif Husain to get him involved against the Turks. Husain died in exile.’
Bockmann stiffened. ‘You compare the word of Adolf Hitler to that of the British Colonial Office? We keep our promises to our friends.’ He cleared his throat, this time ceremoniously. ‘I am authorized to invite you to Berlin. Secretly, of course. A treaty supporting your claims will be drawn up.’
Haj Amin arose and clasped his hands behind him and walked to the corner of the veranda, from where he could look beyond the Dead Sea depression to the hills of Trans-Jordan. ‘Abdullah,’ he said, ‘has an Arab Legion there that is British-trained, British-armed, and led by British officers. Are you sure the British will keep them still in the wake of another Arab uprising in Palestine?’
‘We feel we can organize and help direct Arab opinion to bring unprecedented pressure on the British. In no way will Abdullah be permitted to cross the Jordan River.’
‘I’m not so certain. Abdullah is very ambitious.’
‘At worst, Your Eminence, it is a risk worth taking.’
‘Let me rewrite your acts,’ the Mufti said. ‘The British Mandate will not collapse all that quickly. They are weary but not dead. They will never give up the Sinai and the Suez Canal without a German invasion. If I call for an uprising and fail before Germany goes to war ... Is that a risk worth taking? Before I even get involved in your act one, I have to eliminate this coalition of Arab families against me here in Palestine. Gustav, I do not have the resources.’
Bockmann perched himself on the wide railing close to Haj Amin. He smiled once more. ‘I did not come from Berlin empty-handed.’
The Mufti covered his delight and the conversation became head to head as though they were wary of eavesdroppers.
‘I went into your problems at great length. I explained the high costs of running your continued opposition against the Jews and British.’
That was what the Mufti wanted to hear!
‘We are prepared to cover any ... shall we say ... indiscretions in Waqf funds.’ Haj Amin nodded and Bockmann went on quickly. ‘We studied the 1929 riots. This time you will have the funds and we will supply the dealers and routes to bring in several thousand rifles and millions of rounds of ammunition as well as explosives, grenades, automatic weapons, mortars.’
A distinct look of approval emanated from Haj Amin. ‘Please go on,’ he said.
‘Such key villages as Tabah and the road it guards will not stand this time,’ Bockmann said. ‘You will also have the means to make annihilation attacks directly against Jewish settlements.’
A lone fly could be heard buzzing over the coffee cups.
‘With all due respect, Your Eminence, you are a holy man. The situation calls for bringing in a first-rate military commander capable of recruiting a strong force of volunteers