JEWS AND PALESTINE

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 November 1944, Page 6

JEWS AND PALESTINE

‘DOMINION” LEAGUE FORMED

(Rec. Noon.) LONDON, November 6

The formation of a “Jewish Dominion of Palestine League” to promote the transformation of Palestine into a self-governing Jewish State with the status of a Dominion within the British Empire was announced by Lord Strabolgi at a Press conference. The objectives of the League include furthering the friendship between the. British and Jewish peoples, and the encouragement of friendship of co-op-eration “in peaceful development between the Dominion of Palestine and the surrounding Arab world.” Lord Strabolgi said the initiative for Dominion status came from South Africa and had strong support from sections of the Arabs. It was a bridge not only between the Arabs and Jews, but between the Zionists and Assimilationists (anti-Zionists) in world Jewry. Branches would be formed in the Dominions, Americas and the liberated European countries. Lord Strabolgi said it was an alternative to other suggested solutions of the Palestine problem, such as partitioning, the ending of British control, and an international condominium. The League believed such a Dominion as was envisaged could work with the two races as well as South Africa and Canada did with their racial conflicts. The Arabs, apart from professional agitators, would support the programme, especially businessmen, trade unionists and cultivators, who did not want Palestine as they knew it under Turkish rule. Dominion status was the most practical move that could be made to solve the incipient troubles from extremists on both sides. It would be a Jewish majority, but based on actual rights for all.* J -