White House Terms Bevin’s Attack “unfortunate and Misleading”; Rejects Insinuations

Foreign Secretary Bevin’s presentation of American interest in the Palestine problem was termed “unfortunate and misleading” by the White House today.

In a statement issued late this afternoon, the White House pointed to America’s “long and continuing” interest in Palestine and declared that the Presidential statement of October 4, 1946, referred to by Bevin, “merely reaffirmed the attitude toward Palestine and Jewish immigration into Palestine which the United States Government has publicly expressed since the summer of 1945.”

The text of the statement follows:

“The impression that has arisen from yesterday’s debate in the British Parliament that America’s interest in Palestine and the settlement of Jews there is motivated by partisan and local politics is most unfortunate and misleading.

“The President’s statement of October 4, 1946, which was referred to in the debate, merely reaffirmed the attitude toward Palestine and Jewish immigration into Palestine which the United States Government has publicly expressed since the summer of 1945. This attitude was and is based upon the desire of the President to advance a just solution of the Palestine problem.

“Our position on this subject was communicated to the British Government by the President in his letter to Prime Minister Attlee on August 31, 1945, which was publicly released by the President on Nov. 13, 1945, when he announced the establishment of the joint Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry. The statement of Oct. 4, 1946, reiterated this Government’s position, which was already fully known to all parties to the Palestine negotiations.

“America’s interest in Palestine is of long and continuing standing. It is a deep and abiding interest shared by our people without regard to their political affiliation.”