The Jewish press in Palestine today takes exception to a proposal advanced in London that a new White Paper be issued by the British Government, to supercede the White Paper under which the gates of Palestine have technically been closed to Jewish immigration, and that this new document allow Jewish immigration into Palestine until Arab-Jewish numerical parity is reached.
The proposal, published in The Economist, leading British financial newspaper, was made last week upon the expiration of the terms of the White Paper of 1939 which is opposed by Jews in all democratic countries. The Economist predicted that the 1939 document will never produce the expected results.
Replying to the parity suggestion, the Hebrew newspaper Mishmar today declares in an editorial that it does not fulfill Jewish, aims. “Though this proposal constitutes some progress for the Zionist cause, it cannot be accepted because the Zionist movement will never agree to any deliberate restriction on Jewish immigration,” The paper adds that the proposal for numerical parity need not be mistaken for Arab-Jewish political equality in Palestine which would find support among various Zionist groups.
Pointing out that “the Jewish people will not surrender its fate to any federation as long as vital Zionist needs are not safeguarded,” the Mishmar editorial continues: “Our right to immigration cannot depend on the establishment of a federation of Arab countries, which rightly provokes apprehension among Jews, unless the needs of Zionist upbuilding in Palestine are secured. A bi-national solution of Palestine problems is possible. So is the linking of Palestine with a broader federation. But this must not be carried out at the cost of Zionism.”
The Hatzofe, another Hebrew daily newspaper, commenting on the London proposal, says that “this suggestion is neither new nor original. It is the partition plan and the plan to establish a pan-Arab federation.” The paper emphasizes that no plan will be accepted by the Jews which restricts Jewish immigration in any way.
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.
