Agency Body Hits Palestine Entry Curb, Asks Return of Absorptivity Gauge

Resolutions expressing concern over Palestine immigration restrictions, economic difficulties and continuing terrorism were adopted by the Jewish Agency Administrative Committee last night at the conclusion of a one-day session here.

Taking note of the report of the Executive, the Administrative Committee declared it “associates itself with the view that negotiations with Arab circles directed towards an Arab-Jewish agreement can be properly conducted only by or with the approval of the Executive of the Jewish Agency.”

RESOLUTIONS WERE ADOPTED AS FOLLOWS:

1–Recording grave anxiety on the substitution of a political high level for immigration instead of the absorptive capacity principle in contradiction to the principle that the Jews are in Palestine by right, not by sufferance. The restriction is held to be contrary to the League mandate and to be having the most injurious effect on the economic and political situation, serving to encourage terrorism. The resolution points out that the immigration restriction was described to the League of Nations as a temporary measure, and stresses the “vital need for restoration of the absorptive capacity principle as of March 31, 1938.”

2–Referring to terrorism and insecurity, the committee acknowledges the Palestine Government’s measures to restore order and supports the request that the Jewish community be allowed to take a fuller share in its own defense. Conviction is expressed that the apparent uncertainty of Government policy is the principal factor contributing to persistence of unrest, and the Government is urged to make “unmistakably clear, without further delay, the Government’s determination to implement a definite policy in Palestine consistent with its obligations to the Jewish people.”

3–The Administrative Committee views with deep concern the deterioration of the economic situation, which is held to result from the state of Jewish immigration, and urges adequate Government action to assist agriculture and industry, undertaking and facilitating appropriate public and municipal works.

Continuing discussion on the political report, Rabbi Mordecai Nurok, of Riga, Latvia, attacked Jewish assimilationist and demanded that strong measures be taken against unauthorized negotiations.

Prof. Norman Bentwich, a non-Zionist member, said the non-Zionist viewpoint was not sufficiently understood. He declared non-Zionists did not desire a permanent minority status for the Palestine Jews, but were anxious for a temporary arrangement with the Arabs to restore order and avoid partition. He stressed the ideal of a binational state in Palestine.

Menachem M. Ussishkin, president of the Jewish National Fund, explained that while opposing partition, he did not share Prof. Bentwich’s views. He said he desired a Jewish State in the whole of Palestine.