A closed meeting of the Jewish National Council, the heads of Palestine Jewish communities and Jewish organizations has given unanimous approval to the stand of Dr. Chaim Weizmann, president of the Jewish Agency for Palestine, in opposing the Government’s projected measures restricting sale of Arabs’ lands.
It was disclosed that Weizmann would shortly leave for Europe in connection with the Government’s policy and to meet Sir Herbert Samuel.
Previously, High Commissioner Sir Arthur Grenfell Wauchope transmitted a letter to the Jewish Agency for Palestine explaining why the Government is preparing restrictions on sale of Arabs’ land.
He stated that the interests of the Jewish national home and the welfare of Palestine made essential the retention of subsistance areas by the Arabs. This principle, Sir Arthur declared, was not observed by the Jews in purchasing land. During the last five years land purchases were quadrupled, he said.
The High Commissioner added that in view of the fact that His Majesty’s Government had decided after obtaining his advice to enact the restrictive legislation, he would see to it that the Executive of the Jewish Agency was consulted before the measure was promulgated.
The Jewish Agency Executive replied with a statement charging that the contemplated restrictions contravene the terms of the League of Nations Mandate for the Holy Land.
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