ABSTRACT
T HE Civil Administration of Palestine was initiated on 1 July 1920 with Sir Herbert Samuel as High Commissioner. Previously the country had been administered by the military authorities who, in accordance with international law, preserved as far as was practicable the status quo ante. The Mandate for Palestine was not approved by the Council of the League of Nations until 24 July 1922, bat in the special circumstances the continuance of the military administration was not considered desirable, and the Mandate, even before its terms had been formally approved, was ep.trusted to Great Britain. The Mandate for Palestine is an 'A' Mandate, that is to say that, as laid down in Article 22 of the Covenant of the League, Palestine is considered one of the 'communities (that) had reached a stage of development where their existence as independent nations can be provisionally recognized, subject to the rendering of administrative advice and assistance by a Mandatory, until such time as they are able to stand alone'. However, of the three 'A' Mandatory territories, Palestine was considered an exception.
