Jewish Agency Gets Nine-point Proposal from Britain Outlining Basis for Negotiations

A nine-point British proposal for Jewish Agency participation in the London conference on Palestine is reported today to have been forwarded to the Jewish Agency through the Palestine Government. It suggests the following:

1. The detained leaders of the Jewish Agency will be released, provided they undertake not to engage in the type of activities for which they were arrested.

2. These leaders are not, however, to participate in the London conference as representatives of the Jewish Agency.

3. The Jewish Agency should guarantee that the underground Jewish groups will not disturb the peace.

4. The Jewish Agency should take steps to end “illegal” immigration.

5. The immigration quota is to continue on the basis of 1,500 visas monthly, with the Jewish immigrants who are detained in Cyprus to be brought to Palestine to await release under the quota.

6. Military and police searches will cease and no arrests will be made if the Jewish Agency accepts the above conditions.

7. The period of quiet which it is hoped will follow the above steps should be used for preliminary negotiations prior to the resumption of the London conference.

8. Only the Morrison-Grady plan – the “federalization plan” – shall be a basis for negotiations and no other proposal. Jewish immigration is to continue into the Jewish part of Palestine under the above plan and in accordance with its absorptive capacity. Later an opportunity will be given to discuss the political status of the Jewish part of the country.

9. Jews who are at present in Palestine, as well as those who will enter the autonomous Jewish section of the country, will be entitled – in due time – to independence in the form of a Jewish state.

AGENCY STANDING BY DEMAND FOR UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF LEADERS

A Jewish Agency spokesman, commenting on the informal talks which are now being held between British representatives and leaders of the Agency, stated that the Jews are at present advancing three major demands:

1. Unconditional release of the detained Jewish leaders held at the Latrun camp; 2. Cessation of searches, especially in the agricultural settlements which have obviously nothing to do with terrorism; 3. The release of all the Jewish immigrants interned in Cyprus, as a gesture of good will.

“The ball is now in the hands of the British Government,” the spokesman said. He expressed the hope that the situation will be clarified next week.

Commenting on reports in the Egyptian press that the establishment of the 12 new Jewish settlements in the Negev was aimed at preventing the building of a British military base there, the Jewish Agency spokesman denied that the Jews had any such intention, and stressed that they recognize Britain’s legitimate interests in Palestine.