A strongly-backed movement for inclusion of the Jewish national home within the British Commonwealth was launched here tonight at a public meeting of the Zionist Federation of Great Britain and Ireland.
Most active advocates of the scheme are lord Melchett, Lady Reading and the Rev. Maurice L. Perlzweig, head of the political information department of the World Zionist Organization. Impetus was given the movement by a resolution adopted Wednesday at a meeting of the Federation’s Council, made public tonight, which declares:
“In the belief that British and Jewish ideals and interests march together in Palestine, the Zionist Federation of Great Britain and Ireland would welcome a solution which would ultimately give the Jewish State a place within the framework of the British Commonwealth.”
The resolution at the same time declares uncompromising opposition to any solution of the Palestine problem imposing a permanent minority status on the Jews or artificial restrictions on Jewish immigration and work. It also reaffirms the historic right of the Jewish people to establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine and declares no other solution is adequate.
Although the proposal is being forwarded in the name of the British Zionist Federation, the J.T.A. understands that the sponsors do not expect hostile action by the executives of either the World Zionist Organization or the Jewish Agency for Palestine, neither of which is committed to the scheme.
With regard to the British Government’s attitude toward the man, the J.T.A. is informed that while Britain might welcome it for imperial and strategic reasons, it would be embarrassed since it cannot advocate inclusion of a mandated territory within the empire. It is unlikely, therefore, that any official government blessing will be given to the scheme at the present stage, although the position might change after establishment of an independent Jewish State.
The sponsors of the movement, it is understood, are not seeking a dominion status in view of legal and other difficulties. For a dominion status an independent State is first necessary, since Palestine is still a mandated territory under sovereignty of the League of Nations. Before an independent State could join the Commonwealth, it would be necessary to secure the assent of every dominion. Sponsors of the scheme, therefore, have in mind some form of status within the Empire which would give the Jewish national home internal autonomy.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
