Weizmann Doubts Exiled, Deported Jews Will Be Able to Return to Homelands After War

Doubts that the exiled and deported Jews of Europe will be able to return to their homelands after hostilities cease, were expressed here today by Dr. Chaim Weizmann. Declaring that “it is not easy for human beings to return to mass-graves,” Dr. Weizmann added that Fascist ideas will prevail in occupied Europe for generations after its liberation.

Addressing a special session of the Board of Deputies of British Jews called to discuss the problem of the Jews in German-held Europe, Dr. Weizmann welcomed the recent statement by President Roosevelt on the plight of Jews in Europe, but stated that because of the overwhelming war problems facing the United Nations, it will devolve on the Jews of the democratic countries to rescue their brethren in Europe. He pointed to the effort of the Palestine Jewish community, which, he said, had saved 40,000 Jews in recent years. The victorious nations must establish conditions after the war which will preclude the repetition of the “dismal tragedy” of the Jews, the Zionist leader stated. A basis for such conditions, he said, must be a Jewish homeland and state organization.

Following Dr. Weizmann’s address, the deputies unanimously adopted a resolution calling on the British and United Nations governments to redouble their efforts to rescue the Jews, who, it said, are menaced by imminent extermination because of Germany’s fear that it is facing defeat. It urged the Allies to take all measures necessary to impress upon the peoples of the German satellite nations that it is their duty to save the Jews in their lands from the Nazis. The resolution also asked the United Nations to provide asylum and settlement opportunities within their borders for Jews escaping from occupied territory. Finally, it demanded that no steps be placed in the way of continuation of the task of rescue through Palestine.