All member states of the United Nations have been asked by Secretary-General Trygve Lie “to give consideration” to a British request that they discourage “illegal” immigration of Jews to Palestine through their territories and ports.
In a communication addressed to the 55 members of the United Nations, which was made public today, Mr. Lie referred to the resolution on Palestine adopted May 15 by the special session of the U.N. General Assembly, calling upon all governments and peoples to refrain from any action which might create an atmosphere prejudicial to an early settlement of the Palestine question.
Reference to the resolution was also made in a letter from the British Government to the United Nations, transmitted by Mr. Lie. The letter pointed out that “it appears to His Majesty’s Government that one of the most important ways in which members of the United Nation can assist towards a peaceful solution of the Palestine problem is by doing all in their power to discourage illegal immigration whille the question remains sub judice.”
Emphasizing that during the last six months approximately 15,000 Jewish “illegal” immigrants from various European ports were intercepted in Palestine waters and diverted to camps in Cyprus, the British letter requested the United Nations “to appeal to all member states to take the strictest precautions, in so fas as they are concerned, to prevent the transit through their territory and the departure from their ports of Jews attempting to enter Palestine illegally.”
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