4 Lords Attack Britain on Palestine Ordinance

A sharp attack against the British Government for enforcing the Palestine land ordinance without seeking the approval of the League of Nations was made today by Lords Cecil, Lytton, Meston and Snell in a joint letter published in The Times. The letter said in part:

“The White Paper, as well as the method of implementing it, seems to us inconsistent with the very principles Britain is in arms to uphold. The land ordinance discriminates against the Jews on the grounds of race and religion, a policy which British conscience rejected a hundred years ago. That such discrimination should now be reintroduced under British rule renders it even more repugnant.

“The restriction of rights granted to Palestine Jews is particularly heartless, coming at a time when they are suffering persecution unexampled in cruelty and scale. No proof has ever been produced that Jewish settlement in Palestine has injured non-Jewish interests. On the contrary, abundant proof exists that Palestine has benefited thereby.

“The Royal Commission’s proposals aimed at assigning sufficient territory to the Jews and to provide a refuge for the Jewish people and a basis for a Jewish State. Such a commonwealth might enter a federation with the Arab states, which….. could attain a greater degree of unity and independence than so far enjoyed, but the Government adopted a policy ruining and encumbering the ground required for a constructive scheme.

“Until the White Paper disappears in letter and spirit, it will not be possible to resume the work for the good of the two branches of the Semitic race started by Balfour. . . . Those who have repeatedly protested against the policy of the White Paper must not be taken as being in any way bound by it.”