Page Six
THE JEWISH NEWS
Friday, May 3, 1946
Report Against White Paper Welcomed by Truman
Restriction of Jewish Land Sales Condemned;
Immediate Admission of 100,000 to Zion OK'd
Special Jewish Telegraphic Agency Wire to The Jewish News
WASHINGTON (JTA)—The long awaited report of the
Anglo-American Inquiry Committee which holds the key to the
future of Palestine was made public by the White House Tuesday
together with a letter from President Truman. The report recom-
mends:
1—A total of 100,000 immigration certificates to be author-
ized immediately for the admission into Palestine of Jews who
have been victims of Nazi-Fascist persecution and that these cer-
tificates be awarded as far as possible in 1946. That the actual
immigration be pushed forward as rapidly as conditions will
permit.
2—The governments of Great Britain, U. S., together, and in
association with other countries, should endeavor immediately to
find new homes for all such "displaced persons" irrespective of
creed and nationality and whose ties with former communities
have been irreparably broken.
3—Since a considerable number of Jews will continue living
in Europe, the governments of Great Britain and the United States
should endeavor to assure that immediate effect is given to the
provision of United Nations charter callino- for "universal respect
for and observance of human rights and b fundamental freedoms
for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion".
4—With regard to the normal Palestine immigration and in
addition to making admittance of 100,000 Jewish refugees man-
datory, there should be, pending the execution of a trusteeship,
an agreement by the United Nations to administer Palestine ac-
cording to the mandate which declares "administration of Pales-
tine while ensuring that the rights and position of other sections
of the population are not prejudiced, shall facilitate Jewish im-
migration under suitable conditions".
In order to dispose "once and for all" of exclusive claims of
Jews and Arabs to Palestine, the report recommends the follow-
ing principles:
1—The Jew shall not dominate the Arab and the Arab
flail not dominate the Jew in Palestine.
2—Palestine shall be neither a Jewish or Arab State.
3—The form of government ultimately to be estab-
lished shall be under international guarantees to fully pro-
tect and preserve interests in the Holy Land of the Christian,
Moslem and Jewish faiths.
4—Palestine must ultimately become a state which
guards rights and interests of Moslems, Jews and Christians
alike and accord its inhabitants as a whole the fullest
measure of self-government consistent with the three para-
mount principles forth above.
The report emphasizes that the committee has reached the
conclusion that hostility between Jews and Arabs and in par-
ticular the determination of each to achieve domination "if neces-
sary by violence" makes it almost certain that now and for some
time to come any attempt to establish either an independent
Palestinian State or several independent Palestine states would
result in civil strife such as might threaten the peace of the world.
The committee, therefore, recommends that until this hos-
tility disappears the government of Palestine shall be continued
as at present under the mandate, pending execution of the trustee-
ship agreement by the United Nations.
The report recommends that the mandatory power or trustee-
ship should rroclaim the principle that Arab economic, edu-
cational and - t_olitical advancement in Palestine is of equal im-
portance with that of Jews. Also, that it should at once prepare
measures designed to bridge the gap which now exists and to
raise the Arab standard of living to that of Jews so as to bring the
two peoples to "a full appreciation of their common interests and
common destiny in the land where they both belong".
Criticising Palestine land transfer regulations of 1940 under
which Jews were prevented from acquiring land in certain sec-
tions of the country the report recommends:
1—These regulations should be rescinded and replaced
by regulations based on policy of freedom in the sale, lease
and use of land irrespective of race, community and creed
whereby adequate protection should be provided for interests
of small owners and tenant cultivators.
2—That steps be taken to render nugatory (invalid) and
to prohibit divisions in conveyances, leases and agreements
relating to land which stipulate that only members of one
race, community and creed may be employed on o _ r about or
in connection therewith.
3—The government should exercise such close super-
vision over Holy places and localities—such as the Sea of
Galillee and its vicinity—as will protect them from desecra-
tion and from uses which offend the conscience of religious
people.
The committee recommends that if its report is adopted it
-hould be made clear beyond all doubts, to both Jews and Ger-
mans, that any attempt by either side through threats of violence,
terrorism or use of illegal armies to prevent its execution will be
resolutely suppressed.
"We express the view," the report says, "that the Jewish
Agency should at once resume active cooperation with the man-
datory power in the suppression of terrorism, illegal immigration
and maintenance of law and order which is essential for the good
of all, including the incoming immigrants".
The report recommends the examination, discussion and
execution of plans dealing with large-scale agriculture. It pro-
poses that industrial development in Palestine should be con-
ducted from the start and throughout in full consultation and co-
operation not only with the Jewish Agency but also with govern-
ments of neighboring Arab states directly affected.
In making this recommendation the report points out that
various plans for large-scale industrial development in Palestine
have been presented to the committee for its consideration. The
report says that these projects, if successfully carried into effect,
could not only greatly enlarge the capacity of the country to sup-
port an increasing population, but could also raise the living
standards of Jews and Arabs alike.
The following is President Truman's letter which was re-
leased together with the report:
"I am very happy that the request which I made for the
immediate admission of 100,000 Jews into Palestine has been
_ iunnaui
q nirmously endorsed by the Anglo-American committee of
"The transference of these unfortunate people should
now be accomplished with the greatest dispatch. Protection
and safeguarding of Holy places in Palestine which are
sacred to Moslems, Christians and Jews are adequately pro-
vided for in the report.
"One of the most significant factors in the report is that
it insures complete protection to the Arab population in
Palestine, not only their civil and religious rights but also
guarantees constant improvement in their cultural, educa-
tional and economic position.
"I am also pleased that the committee recommends in
effect the abrogation of the White Paper of 1939, including
the existing restrictions on immigration and land acqui-
sition, to promote further development of the Jewish Na-
tional Home. It is also gratifying that the report envisages
the carrying out of large scale economic development pro j-
ects in Palestine which would facilitate immigration and be
of benefit to the entire population.
"In addition to these immediate objectives the report
deals with many other questions of long range political
policy and international law which require careful study and
which I will take under advisement".
Reactions to the Committee's Report
The report of the Anglo-American Inquiry Committee on
Palestine was received with mixed emotions.
The Arabs at once threatened to retaliate and to refuse to
perm's the admission of 100,000 Jews into Palestine. In the main,
however. their threats were not taken seriously and it was indi-
catod that the Jews an stand their p- round in Palestine and that
British .t . rnons in Palestine will be Phle to handle the situation.
(The anti-Jewish sentiments among British troops in Palestine are,
nevertreless. causing uneasiness).
In Washington, the reaction was favorable, but those very
close to the Zionist movement were disappointed. Senator Robert
Wagner. chairman of the American Christian Palestine Commit-
tee, criticized the report for its negative stand on the question of
a Jewish state.
War Department officials appear pleased with the report
because 69,000 Jews are at present being cared for in displaced
persons camps in the American- zone of occupation in Germany,
and the decision of the committee may release AMG of this re-
sponsibility. War Department officials pointed out that nearly all
of the 69,000 persons desire to go to Palestine.
The reaction in Zionist and most Jewish quarters may be in-
terpreted as follows: While judgment is being reserved and at the
time this issue of the Jewish News is being printed there have been
no statements by responsible Jewish leaders, there is deep hurt
and disappointment over the report. The reason : there is abso-
lutely no provision for the settlement of the 1,000,000 who, in
addition to the 100,000 to be provided for, MUST be settled in
Palestine. Jews therefore ask : the report provided for immediate
emergencies affecting the 100,000 ; but what of the million more
who will have to be given homes after Jan. 1, 1947?