Agency Maps 3-point Campaign to Defeat White Paper

The Jewish Agency for Palestine today mapped a three-point program to resist the carrying out of the British Government’s newly-announced policy for establishment of an independent state with a one-third Jewish minority.

The program, outlined by an Agency spokesman at a press conference, calls for (1) a political struggle in London, Geneva and The Hague to defeat the policy and mobilization of public opinion against it, (2) intensification of constructive work in Palestine to solidify and develop the Jewish position, (3) non-cooperation in implementing the new policy.

Denouncing the new policy as “a glaring injustice,” the spokesmen declared the Jewish Agency would refuse to assist the Government. Regarding illegal immigration, it was stated that “the British Government will find itself up against forces and pressures if it tries to dam the historic process of Jewish immigration to Palestine.”

The spokesmen emphasized that in mobilizing Jewish public opinion, the Agency would do its utmost to prevent development of a feeling that Britain was the enemy of the Jews. The British Government is aware, it was said, that despite non-cooperation and certain other measures, the Government will find most of the Jews of the world, particularly those of Palestine, ranged on the side of Britain.

BRITISH PRESS REACTION MIXED

Mixed reaction in the British press greeted announcement of the British policy. The Daily Herald (Laborite) condemned it roundly, declaring that the policy statement was bound to be a sorry document, but it was not bound to be outrageous. The Times (Independent), still favoring partition, declared that only a grant of autonomy to Arabs and Jews would give a sense of security without which peace, progress and cooperation were impossible. The News-Chronicle (Liberal) urged the Government to open other doors to Jews in the Empire. The Yorkshire Post also stressed the need for more intensive efforts to find other outlets for the victims of Nazi cruelty.

The Daily Mail, Lord Rothermere’s paper, welcomed the policy, declaring that Britain would be rid of Palestine in ten years and describing the scheme as “sound and wise.” The Manchester Guardian asserted that the Government had decided to do everything possible to make complete the victory which the Arabs had obtained through a long course of violence. The Daily Telegraph said that the policy was a fair measure to the Arab and Jew.