Walter Smiles introduced an amendment providing that British subjects of mixed European and Sephardic descent, also persons of mixed Jewish and non-European descent—with the exception of the B’nai Israelites and the Black Cochin Jews—be permitted to vote as Europeans.
Under-Secretary Ormsby-Gore, replying in behalf of the government, declared that it is impossible to single out one Jewish community from the others, no matter how distinguished that community may be. “I understand that the Jews wish that Jewry should be considered as one,” he said, expressing the hope that Sir Walter would withdraw his amendment. “The British attitude towards the Jews is one of absolute friendliness,” he assured.
The amendment was later withdrawn by Sir Walter Smiles.
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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.