Pointing out that a “critical stage” has again been-reached in the Palestine issue, Dr. Chaim Weizmann, president of the Jewish Agency, today emphasized that the Jewish people will never accept a policy which will prevent the rebuilding of Jewish national life in Palestine.
Addressing a closed emergency conference called by the Zionist Federation of Great Britain in connection with the latest developments concerning Palestine, Dr. Weizmann revealed that the British Government has not yet replied to the demand of the Jewish Agency for 100,000 immigration certificates. He told the 600 delegates, who cane from all parts of England, that the Jewish Agency rejected an offer by the British authorities to grant 1,500 Palestine visas to Jews monthly.
CHARGES CABINET WITH ADOPTING UNILATERAL DECISION ON IMMIGRATION
Dr. Weizmann severely criticized the Labor Government for continuing the White Paper policy. He sharply protested the fact that the government did not confer with representatives of the Jewish Agency, and adopted its decision unilaterally.
“The Government,” he reported,” did not see fit to hold any conference with the Jewish Agency which is the internationally-recognized mouthpiece of the Jewish people. But the Cabinet must realize that it can not decree the fate a people without consulting its representatives. Unilateral decisions might be imposed by force, but a policy which would refuse the Jews a chance for rebuilding their national life within their historic homeland is not one to which the Jewish people will ever submit.
“No earthly power could make the homeless Jew turn his back to Palestine,” Dr. Weizmann continued. “No obstacle will deter him from trying to regain its shces. Adversities cannot stifle, but will only make more intense the urge for freedom.”
WARNS OF INCREASING TENSION AMONG JEWS IN PALESTINE
The leader of the world Zionist movement pointed out that two months have passed since the Labor Government assumed office, but the White Paper which was condemned by the Labor Party as a breach of faith, is still in force. Jewish emigration to Palestine, he said, is at a standstill, while the restrictions against acquisition of land by Jews are being applied most rigorously.
“The state of affairs with regard to immigration is intolerable,” he deslared.” While Jews were being killed in the millions, the world stood aghast, but did nothing to save them. Now the so-called liberated remnants are continuing to detericrate and to go under, but there is still no rescue. Their misery is indescribable. Lives are being lost daily. The vast majority only demand that they be allowed to proceed to Palestine, yet the doors are barred.”
Dr. Weizmann revealed that when the Jewish Agency rejected the offer of 1,500 certificates monthly, it informed the British Government that the Agency “could not have dealings on the basis of the immeral and illegal White Paper.” He pointed out that at the rate proposed by the Government it would take a year to evacuate only the refugees new assembled in Italy. He concluded by warning Britain of the increasing tension among the Jews in Palestine.
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.
