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Creation of Jewish State in South-eastern Europe After War Suggested

April 12, 1943
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Various projects to help the Jews of Europe now and after the war are advanced in the British press today, including a proposal that a Jewish state be established in South-Eastern Europe at the peace conference after an Allied victory.

The suggestion that the peace conference set up a Jewish state for the distressed Jews of Europe is advanced in an article in the Times written by Commander A. W. H. Games, a member of Parliament. He points out that the Palestine immigration quota must be utilized “when conditions will permit it,” but that the larger aspect of the Jewish problem in Europe can be solved by the creation after the war of a Jewish state in the south-eastern part of Europe. “There are reasons to believe that the states concerned would be ready to consider the small territorial concessions involved as a step towards solving their own minority problem,” Commander James writes.

The Manchester Guardian diplomatic correspondent, emphasizing that Henbert Lehman’s visit to London is in no way connected with the forthooming Bermuda conference on refugees, says that it is admitted that if Lehman were to go to Bermuda, he would be in a position to make a valuable personal contribution to the question of solving the refugee problem.

Many quarters in London are now considering a suggestion that large transit camps be established in North Africa for refugees escaping from Nazi-Europe, it is reported in the press here today. The project envisions the Lehman Office for Foreign Relief and Rehabilitation maintaining the refugees in the camps until they can emigrate to other countries.

An editorial in the London Observer today headed “Rescue the Perishing” assails the government for its indifference to the fate of millions of Jews living under a sentence of death. “Today is April 11,” the editorial says, “and it must be stated that so far the British Government has not found it within its power to rescue or shelter from cruel death one single Jewish man, woman or child. The doors of this country and its possessions remain closed.”

Referring to the Nermuda conference, the Observer emphasizes that not preliminary explorations, but immediate action, prompted by elementary humanity, is needed. “The murder of the Jews in Europe,” it continues, “is the greatest horror of all times. History will record what all nations did and left undone to check it. We must not allow our government to put such a stain on Britain’s record.”

The Board of Deputies of British Jews was urged by a number of its members today to prepare and place before a plenary session of the Board a detailed policy on post-war Jewish problems which could be considered as the official policy of the Jews in Britain.

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