Jewish Groups in New York Protest Against Closing of Palestine Gates

The Agudas Israel Youth Council of America announced today that it has appealed to the British Government through its ambassador, Lord Halifax, in Washington, for immediate abrogation of the White Paper, “so that the doors of Palestine may remain open to Jewish refugees.”

The council also appealed to President Roosevelt and John W. Pehle, executive director of the War Refugee Board, for intercession with the British Government on the White Paper.

The Emergency Committee to Save the Jewish People of Europe reported that Gov. Leveret Saltonstall of Massachusetts and Gov. Olin D. Johnston of South Carolina today joined with the Committee in protesting against keeping the doors of Palestine shut to Jews. Governor Saltonstall pointed out that “the Jews of Palestine have reclaimed the desert and made the land bloom once more. Their upbuilding of their ancient land is truly considered one of the greatest of achievements of modern times. It is but elementary justice that the doors of Palestine be reopened to the fullest extent, consistent with military considerations, for the Jews of Europe against whom Hitler has so savagely expended his fury.”

Colonel Morris J. Mendelsohn, president of the New Zionist Organization of America, at a press conference today issued a statement saying that “Under present circumstances, the White Paper is an actual death warrant to millions of Jews and is tantamount to Hitler’s declaration of extermination against the Jewish people. By attempting to establish the policy of the White Paper, Britain will inevitably create a new ‘Irish pocket’ in Palestine and kindle in every Jewish heart a flame of hatred for British imperialists that will turn the Jewish people the world over into an ‘international Ireland.'”