Mr. Norman Bentwich Taking Up Post in Jerusalem As Weizmann Professor at Hebrew University: Report C

Mr. Norman Bentwich has been appointed to the Weizmann Chair of International Peace at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the Hebrew daily “Haaretz” states to-day, declaring that it has received confirmation of this report, which has been current for some time.

Mr. Bentwich will arrive in Jerusalem this winter, or next spring, it adds, in order to take up his appointment.

It was reported by the J.T.A. in July that Mr. Bentwich had been approached to take up the post of Weizmann Professor of International Peace at the Hebrew University, which has been established by Sir Montague Burton, the well-known English Zionist. At that time no confirmation could be obtained, however, of the report, and nothing definite was yet known with regard to the rumours that he had found himself forced to retire from his position as Attorney-General in Palestine. Since then, the Colonial Secretary, Mr. J. H. Thomas, has disclosed, however, in the House of Commons (on the 23rd. inst.) that Lord Passfield had decided, for reasons that in no way affected the personal character of Mr. Bentwich, that the racial and political difficulties with which the Administration has to contend in Palestine would not be diminished by Mr. Bentwich retaining the office of Attorney-General, and under the circumstances he had been offered promotion to a high judicial office in the Colonial Service elsewhere. But Mr. Bentwich had made it clear that he would not accept a post outside Palestine, and there was no alternative, therefore, but to retire him on pension.