Dewey Supports Establishment of Jewish Commonwealth on Basis of Balfour Declaration

Gov. Thomas E. Dewey, Republican nominee for President, today made public a statement emphasizing that he is “for the re-constitution of Palestine as a free and democratic Jewish Commonwealth in accordance with the Balfour Declaration.” The statement was issued following a conference yesterday with Dr. Abba Hillel Silver, chairman of the Zionist Emergency Council. It reads

“I heartily endorse the Palestine plank in the Republican party platform. Again I repeat what I previously stated to the great leader of the American Zionist movement and distinguished American Dr. Abba Hillel Silver that I am for the re-constitution of Palestine as a free and democratic Jewish commonwealth in accordance with the Balfour Declaration of 1917 and the Resolution of the Republican Congress in 1922. I have also stated to Dr. Silver that in order to give refuge to millions of distressed Jews driven from their homes by tyranny I favor the opening of Palestine to their unlimited immigration and land ownership. The American people have time and again declared themselves in favor of these principles. The Republican party has at all times been the traditional friend of the movement. As President I would use my best offices to have our government working together with Great Britain to achieve this great objective for a people that have suffered so much and deserve so much at the hands of mankind.”