Anglo-american Inquiry Report Released; Truman Says It Abrogates White Paper

The long-awaited report of the Anglo-American Inquiry Committee, which holds the key to the future of Palestine, was made public tonight by the White House, together with a statement from President Truman expressing satisfaction that “the Committee recommends in effect the abrogation of the White Paper of 1939,” which, he said, will promote further development of the Jewish National Home.

The recommendations of the committee are:

1. A total of 100,000 immigration certificates be authorized immediately for the admission to Palestine of Jews who were victims of Nazi and Fascist persecution; that these certificates be awarded, as far as possible, in 1946 and that actual immigration be pushed as rapidly as conditions will permit.

2. The Governments of Britain and of the United States together, and in association with other countries, should endeavor immediately to find new homes for all “displaced persons,” irrespective of creed or nationality, whose ties with their former communities have been irreparably broken.

3. Since a considerable number of Jews will continue to live in Europe, the Governments of Britain and the United States should endeavor to assure that immediate effect is given to the provision of the United Nations Charter calling for “universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language and religion.”

4. With regard to normal Palestine immigration, in addition to the admittance of the 100,000 Jewish refugees, the Mandatory should, pending the execution of a Trusteeship agreement by the United Nations, administer Palestine according to the Mandate which declares that “the administration of Palestine, while ensuring that the rights and position of other sections of the population are not prejudiced, shall facilitate Jewish immigration under suitable conditions.”

SAYS PALESTINE SHOULD BE NEITHER JEWISH NOR ARAB STATE

In order to dispose “once and for all” of the exclusive claims of Jews and Arabs to Palestine, the report recommends the following principles:

1. Jew shall not dominate Arab, and Arab shall not dominate Jew in Palestine.

2. Palestine shall be neither a Jewish State nor an Arab State.

3. The form of government ultimately to be established, shall, under international guarantees, fully protect and preserve the interests in the Holy Land of Christendom and of the Moslem and Jewish faiths.

4. Palestine must ultimately become a state which guards the rights and interests of Moslems, Jews and Christians alike, and accords its inhabitants, as a whole, the fullest measure of self-government, consistent with the three principles set forth above.

MANDATE TO CONTINUE; ARAB ADVANCEMENT IS RECOMMENDED

The report emphasizes that the inquiry committee reached the conclusion that the hostility between Jews and Arabs, and, in particular the determination of each to achieve domination, “if necessary by violence,” makes it almost certain that now, and for some time to come, any attempt to establish either an independent Palestinian state or two independent Palestinian states would result in civil strive which might threaten the peace of the world.

The committee therefore recommends that, until this hostility disappears, the Government of Palestine be continued as at present, under Mandate, pending execution of a trusteeship agreement by the United Nations.

At the same time, the report recommends that the mandatory or trustee proclaim the principle that the economic, educational and political advancement of the Arabs in Palestine is of equal importance with that of the Jews. Also that the mandatory immediately prepare measures designed “to bridge the gap which now exists” and raise the Arab standard of living to that of the Jews, and bring the two peoples to “a full appreciation of their common interests and common destiny in the land where they both belong.”

ABOLITION OF EXISTING LAND RESTRICTIONS FOR JEWS IS URGED

Criticizing the Palestine land transfer regulations of 1940 under which Jews were prevented from acquiring land in certain sections of the country, the report recommends:

1. These regulations should be rescinded and replaced by regulations based on a policy of freedom in the sale, lease or use of land, irrespective of race, community or creed, whereby adequate protection should be provided for the interests of small owners and tenant cultivators.

2. That steps be taken to render “migratory” and to prohibit provisions in conveyances, leases and agreements relating to land which stipulate that only members of one race, community or creed may be employed on or about or in connection therewith.

3. The Government should exercise such close provision over the Holy Places and localities, such as the See of Galilee and its vicinity, as will protect them from desecration and from uses which offend the conscience of religious people.

WANTS JEWISH AGENCY TO COOPERATE IN SUPPRESSION OF TERRORISM

The committee recommends that if its report is adopted, it should be made clear “beyond all doubt” to both Jews and Arabs that any attempt from either side, by threats of violence, by terrorism, or by the organization or use of illegal armies to prevent its execution, will be “resolutely suppressed.”

“We express the view,” the report says, “that the Jewish Agency should at once resume active cooperation with the mandatory in the suppression of terrorism and of illegal immigration, and in the maintenance of that law and order throughout Pales- tine which is essential for the good of all, including the new immigrants.”

URGES CONSULTATION WITH NEIGHBORING ARAB STATES ON PALESTINE DEVELOPMENT

The report recommends that “the examination, discussion and execution” of plans dealing with large-scale agricultural and industrial development of Palestine,” should be conducted, from the start and throughout, in full consultation and cooperation not only with the Jewish Agency, but also with the governments of the neighboring Arab states directly effected.”

In making this recommendation, the report points out that various plans for agricultural and industrial development in Palestine have been presented to the committee for consideration. “These projects,” the report says, “if successfully carried into effect, could not only greatly enlarge the capacity of the country to support an increasing population, but also raise the living standards of Jew and Arab alike.

“We are not in a position,” the report continues, “to assess the soundness of these specific plans, but we cannot state too strongly that, however technically feasible they may be, they will fall unless there is peace in Palestine. Moreover, their full success requires the willing cooperation of adjacent Arab states, since they are not merely Palestinian projects.”

The committee also recommends that “in the interests of the conciliation of the two peoples and of general improvement of the Arab standard of living, the educational system of both Jews and Arabs be reformed including the introduction of compulsory education within a reasonable time.”