The Carlton Hotel
(Preface: I am new to the forum, and I thought it would be fun to join because I've recently been becoming a major alternate history nerd. I love the idea of world-building, and especially building a world based off of an alternate timeline of our own. I've been coming up with this timeline for a while and basically the idea was to create a modern Middle East that is different and perhaps more stable than the one that we have today. I decided to start with the partition of the Ottoman Empire post-WWI, seeing how it is essentially the start of what most would consider the modern Middle East.
I am also aware that it is often disputed how likely Emir Faisal would have been to accept the fulfillment of an agreement with the Zionists. I'm gonna take a little stretch at the start here, but I feel like it will pay off with how this timeline goes.)
3 January 1919, 9:30 AM - Carlton Hotel, London
Emir Faisal ibn Hussein al-Hashemi sat in a chair in his hotel room. He had been told the previous night that Thomas E. Lawrence would be meeting with him at ten o’clock that morning. Sipping from fine British tea he had received from the hotel, he sat in his robes waiting for his old friend from the Arab revolt to enter.
Sure enough, Lawrence entered the room right on the dot with two documents, one in English and one in Arabic.
“Ah, Lawrence, right on time. What did you come to discuss?”
“Your highness, Chaim Weizmann has a proposal for you on behalf of the Zionist Congress. I had the courtesy of creating a translation in Arabic for you.”
“Allow me to read it,” Faisal calmly commanded.
His Royal Highness the Emir FAISAL, representing and acting on behalf of the Arab Kingdom of HEJAZ, AND Dr. Chaim Weizmann, representing and acting on behalf of the Zionist Organization, mindful of the racial kinship and ancient bonds existing between the Arabs and the Jewish people, and realising that the surest means of working out the consummation of their national aspirations, is through the closest possible collaboration in the development of the Arab State and Palestine, and being desirous further of confirming the good understanding which exists between them, have agreed upon the following articles:
The Arab State and Palestine in all their relations and undertakings shall be controlled by the most cordial goodwill and understanding and to this end Arab and Jewish duly accredited agents shall be established and maintained in their respective territories.
Immediately following the completion of deliberations of the Peace Conference, the definite boundaries between the Arab State and Palestine shall be determined by a commission to be agreed upon by the parties hereto.
In the establishment of the Constitution and Administration of Palestine all such measures shall be adopted as will afford the fullest guarantees for carrying into effect the British Government’s Declaration of the 2nd of November, 1917 (Balfour Declaration-SEH).
All necessary measures will be taken to encourage and stimulate immigration of Jews into Palestine on a large scale, and as quickly as possible to settle Jewish immigrants upon the land through closer settlement and intensive cultivation of the soil. In taking such measures the Arab peasants and tenant farmers shall be protected in their rights, and shall be assisted in forwarding their economic development.
No regulation or law shall be made prohibiting or interfering in any way with the free exercise of religion; and further the free exercise and expression of religious profession and worship without discrimination or preference shall for ever be allowed. No religious test shall ever be required for the exercise of civil or religious rights.
The Mohammedan Holy Places shall be under Mohammedan control.
The Zionist Organization proposes to send to Palestine a Commission of experts to make a survey of the economic possibilities of the country, and to report upon the best means for its development. The Zionist Organization will place the aforementioned Commission at the disposal of the Arab State for the purpose of a survey of the economic possibilities of the Arab State and to report on the best means for its development. The Zionist Organization will use its best efforts to assist the Arab State in providing the means for developing the natural resources and economic possibilities thereof.
The parties hereto agree to act in complete accord and harmony in all matters embraced herein before the Peace Congress.
Any matters of dispute which may arise between the contracting parties shall be referred to the British Government for arbitration.
As he concluded looking over the document, Faisal began to speak.
“I do not know if I could approve such a deal.”
“Why not?” Lawrence questioned.
"My priority is to secure the independence of the Arab people. I cannot just give away land to another foreign entity.”
“Your highness, many of my fellow Brits are adamant about supporting the Zionist cause. Balfour has already made a declaration declaring British support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Perhaps giving the Zionists some of what they want will help to ensure the British and French support your rule over all other Arab lands in Syria, Mesopotamia, and Arabia.”
“I still cannot simply hand Arab land over to a Jewish authority after we fought such a long, brutal campaign against the Turks. Surely you remember the intensity of our struggle.”
“And so surely you can understand that just one more small sacrifice is worth it to secure the freedom of your people forever. Even Weizmann has promised to protect the rights of the Arabs of Palestine and to hand over control of all Islamic holy sites. He even guarantees a mutually beneficial alliance to help your country to flourish.”
Lawrence knew that it would difficult to fully sway Faisal. However, he knew that securing this deal would be necessary to gain British support for the Pan-Arab Kingdom. He knew that a deal with Faisal would be the only way of possibly ensuring that the British and the French would not enact the plans drawn up by Mark Sykes and François-Georges Picot.
From Faisal's perspective, it was true that Lawrence was mostly repeating to him what he had just read. It was true that reading Weizmann’s words had not convinced him. However, hearing it all from Lawrence made it different. He had begun to consider the possibility that maybe this deal, or some version of it, could be beneficial somehow.
“I will take more time to look over the deal,” Faisal declared. “In the meantime, bring Weizmann to me as soon as possible. Perhaps we can negotiate."
I am also aware that it is often disputed how likely Emir Faisal would have been to accept the fulfillment of an agreement with the Zionists. I'm gonna take a little stretch at the start here, but I feel like it will pay off with how this timeline goes.)
3 January 1919, 9:30 AM - Carlton Hotel, London
Emir Faisal ibn Hussein al-Hashemi sat in a chair in his hotel room. He had been told the previous night that Thomas E. Lawrence would be meeting with him at ten o’clock that morning. Sipping from fine British tea he had received from the hotel, he sat in his robes waiting for his old friend from the Arab revolt to enter.
Sure enough, Lawrence entered the room right on the dot with two documents, one in English and one in Arabic.
“Ah, Lawrence, right on time. What did you come to discuss?”
“Your highness, Chaim Weizmann has a proposal for you on behalf of the Zionist Congress. I had the courtesy of creating a translation in Arabic for you.”
“Allow me to read it,” Faisal calmly commanded.
His Royal Highness the Emir FAISAL, representing and acting on behalf of the Arab Kingdom of HEJAZ, AND Dr. Chaim Weizmann, representing and acting on behalf of the Zionist Organization, mindful of the racial kinship and ancient bonds existing between the Arabs and the Jewish people, and realising that the surest means of working out the consummation of their national aspirations, is through the closest possible collaboration in the development of the Arab State and Palestine, and being desirous further of confirming the good understanding which exists between them, have agreed upon the following articles:
Article I
The Arab State and Palestine in all their relations and undertakings shall be controlled by the most cordial goodwill and understanding and to this end Arab and Jewish duly accredited agents shall be established and maintained in their respective territories.
Article II
Immediately following the completion of deliberations of the Peace Conference, the definite boundaries between the Arab State and Palestine shall be determined by a commission to be agreed upon by the parties hereto.
Article III
In the establishment of the Constitution and Administration of Palestine all such measures shall be adopted as will afford the fullest guarantees for carrying into effect the British Government’s Declaration of the 2nd of November, 1917 (Balfour Declaration-SEH).
Article IV
All necessary measures will be taken to encourage and stimulate immigration of Jews into Palestine on a large scale, and as quickly as possible to settle Jewish immigrants upon the land through closer settlement and intensive cultivation of the soil. In taking such measures the Arab peasants and tenant farmers shall be protected in their rights, and shall be assisted in forwarding their economic development.
Article V
No regulation or law shall be made prohibiting or interfering in any way with the free exercise of religion; and further the free exercise and expression of religious profession and worship without discrimination or preference shall for ever be allowed. No religious test shall ever be required for the exercise of civil or religious rights.
Article VI
The Mohammedan Holy Places shall be under Mohammedan control.
Article VII
The Zionist Organization proposes to send to Palestine a Commission of experts to make a survey of the economic possibilities of the country, and to report upon the best means for its development. The Zionist Organization will place the aforementioned Commission at the disposal of the Arab State for the purpose of a survey of the economic possibilities of the Arab State and to report on the best means for its development. The Zionist Organization will use its best efforts to assist the Arab State in providing the means for developing the natural resources and economic possibilities thereof.
Article VIII
The parties hereto agree to act in complete accord and harmony in all matters embraced herein before the Peace Congress.
Article IX
Any matters of dispute which may arise between the contracting parties shall be referred to the British Government for arbitration.
As he concluded looking over the document, Faisal began to speak.
“I do not know if I could approve such a deal.”
“Why not?” Lawrence questioned.
"My priority is to secure the independence of the Arab people. I cannot just give away land to another foreign entity.”
“Your highness, many of my fellow Brits are adamant about supporting the Zionist cause. Balfour has already made a declaration declaring British support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Perhaps giving the Zionists some of what they want will help to ensure the British and French support your rule over all other Arab lands in Syria, Mesopotamia, and Arabia.”
“I still cannot simply hand Arab land over to a Jewish authority after we fought such a long, brutal campaign against the Turks. Surely you remember the intensity of our struggle.”
“And so surely you can understand that just one more small sacrifice is worth it to secure the freedom of your people forever. Even Weizmann has promised to protect the rights of the Arabs of Palestine and to hand over control of all Islamic holy sites. He even guarantees a mutually beneficial alliance to help your country to flourish.”
Lawrence knew that it would difficult to fully sway Faisal. However, he knew that securing this deal would be necessary to gain British support for the Pan-Arab Kingdom. He knew that a deal with Faisal would be the only way of possibly ensuring that the British and the French would not enact the plans drawn up by Mark Sykes and François-Georges Picot.
From Faisal's perspective, it was true that Lawrence was mostly repeating to him what he had just read. It was true that reading Weizmann’s words had not convinced him. However, hearing it all from Lawrence made it different. He had begun to consider the possibility that maybe this deal, or some version of it, could be beneficial somehow.
“I will take more time to look over the deal,” Faisal declared. “In the meantime, bring Weizmann to me as soon as possible. Perhaps we can negotiate."