High officials of the State Department interpret the UNSCOP report to mean that the members of the committee–representing a diversified cross-section of world opinion–believe that “the world owes sanctuary and some form of independent citizenship to those Jews who want to migrate” to Palestine, it is reported by Arthur Krock, chief of the New York Times Washington bureau, writing in that paper today.
He says that these officials, who will have a decisive voice in setting U.S. policy on Palestine, also feel that in the future this country will no longer be handicapped in dealing with the Palestine problem by the charge that its attitude is determined by partisan political motives. This accusation, which has been voiced by a high British spokesman, will fall flat in view of the fact that the representatives of world opinion have endorsed a position similar to that of the U.S., they say.
In an editorial earlier this week, the Times, which has in the past questioned the wisdom of establishing a Jewish state, said that “the question, however, is now in the hands of the United Nations…We would stand ready to accept any favorable U.N. decision and to work and hope most earnestly for the success of the proposed new commonwealth.” It welcomes the relaxation of immigration restrictions and hopes that terrorism will now cease.
Key papers throughout the country have generally approved the UNSCOP report. The New York Herald Tribune describes it as “a bad compromise,” but “the best that combined statesmanship of the world, after excluding all the more interested parties, could do.” It says that this is no longer a problem of Arabs, Jews and British; it has become a U.N. problem, and the strongest members of the U.N. will have to face their share of the common responsibility.”
The New York Post describes the report as “a reasonable and workable solution,” and says that “President Truman, the ultimately responsible Executive, must insist that our representatives in U.N. back the new recommendations to the utmost.” The Communist Daily Worker says that “it is a matter of gratification among the Jewish people that both reports recognize their just aspirations for statehood.” The paper says the majority plan is better on immigration and statehood, but calls for an amendment which would guarantee a genuine united economy, which would pave the way to economic unity.
The Washington Post says that the UNSCOP solution is not an ideal one, but partition seems the only practicable solution. It says that its ill effects may be tempered by economic integration. The Boston Globe writes that the majority report has the advantages of giving “the Jews a nation, and with it a representative in the U.N., and…providing for the immigration of 150,000,” It urges prompt action, saying that “what the world has done to the Jews in the past 15 years is calculated to make it feel neither comfortable or proud.”
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
