The number of immigration certificates granted the Jewish Agency for Palestine will be sharply reduced if illegal Jewish immigration continues, Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister, Secretary of State for Colonies, declared today in the House of Commons.
Sir Philip was questioned on illegal immigration, deportation and imprisonment of those convicted of the offense by Colonel Josiah Wedgwood and Captain Peter D. MacDonald, Conservative.
He was asked to give the number of Jews and Arabs deported in 1934, the cost to the Palestine government of preventing illegal immigration and whether steps had been taken to close all channels for the illegal entrants.
The Colonial Secretary declared that 627 had been deported from Palestine, including 243 rejected at the frontier. Deportations were not confined to Jews, he stated, offering to get figures on Arab deportations if asked to do so. He added it was impossible to estimate the cost to the Palestine government.
Immigrants, he said, came into Palestine legally by virtue of immigration schedules agreed on between the High Commissioner and the Jewish Agency.
“It is highly important not to reduce the number of legal immigrants, which must be done if illegal immigration continues,” Sir Philip stated.
Emanuel Steinfeld was elected in 1892 to the legislative council of Victoria, Australia.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
