option as “unworkable as the desire to federate is lacking at present.”^50
Outlining his proposal, Rahman cabled:
Palestine should in accordance to promises given by British and
French Governments be constituted into a demo cratic unitary Pales-
tinian State and although Jewish ethnic, cultural, religious, educa-
tional and linguistic rights be reserved by constitution either unalter-
able or alternatively by a three- fourths majority. Yet there is no reason
to deprive the majority of their legitimate right according to principle
of self- determination to form a Government in which Jews should be
allowed a share of one- third in all Government offi ces and posts pro-
portionate to their present population.On the question of aliya, the primary Zionist agenda, Rahman was pre-
pared to accept immigration based on “religious and domestic but not
po liti cal reasons.”^51
Rahman’s August 14 unitary plan and his decision to place his rec-
ommendations in “sealed cover” rang alarms in New Delhi. On August
23, a week after India’s partition, he was instructed to abandon his pro-
posal and opt for a “middle course between what may be theoretically
just and what is factually practicable.” Disagreeing with Rahman’s
views, India expressed support for a federal Palestine, and Rahman was
explicitly instructed not to pursue “a demo cratic unitary Palestinian
State.”^52
Thus, in proposing a solution for Palestine, Rahman followed the broad
pa ram e ters and guidelines set by the Indian government, especially Prime
Minister Nehru. What, then, was the Indian plan?
Federal Palestine
As per the deadline set by the fi rst Special Session, the UNSCOP
submitted its report on September 1, 1947.^53 Most of its recommenda-
tions were unanimous or near unanimous. On issues such as the termi-
nation of the Mandate, the granting of in de pen dence to Palestine, tran-
sitional arrangements under the United Nations, the safeguarding of
holy places, the plight of Jewish displaced persons in Eu rope, and the
protection of minorities and economic unity, the committee members
the partition of palestine 97