JEWISH CASE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23272, 15 February 1939, Page 13

JEWISH CASE

HOME INJPALESTINE RACE TRIBULATIONS CLAIM TO COUNTRY BASIS FOR SOLUTION By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Keeoived February 14, 6.30 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Feb. 13 In a statement of the Jewish case which ho made at a meeting between the British and Jewish delegations at the Palestine conference, Dr. Chaim Weizmann said that at tho root of tho Jewish problem lay tho hopelessness of the Jewish people, everywhere a minority, and in many countries helpless and at the mercy of others. They had pre-

served their identity because of their attachment to Palestine and of their hope of return to Zion.

Their claim to Palestine had never been abandoned and the Jewish community there had never ceased to exist, said Dr. Weizmann. In every age group Jews worked their way to Palestine, and for tho last 60 years active re-settlement had been going on. National Home Essential The Balfour Declaration had recognised these historic facts, and in the preamble to the mandate international recognition had been given to the historical connection of the Jewish people with Palestine and to the grounds for reconstituting their national home in that country. It was essential that there should be one place in the world where the Jews should not be a fraction, an appendix, or adjunct to something else—where they should bo themselves masters of their

own destinies. Dr. Weizmann criticised the abandonment of the project for a Jewish State envisaged in the Peel Report, while mentioning the objections of the Jews to many features of the scheme. He argued that the Arabs had emerged from tho war with four kingdoms. Insofar as the Balfour Declaration had contributed to victory for the Allies, it had also contributed to the liberation of tho Arabs. Achievements Compared The speaker thought it not irrelevant to compare what the Arabs had made of the extraordinary opportunities which had como to them with very little trouble, and what the Jews had made of the chances vouchsafed to them. The Arab claim that Palestine was an Arab country and should have an Arab national Government was not capable of realisation. The Jews already formed a third of tho population and were responsible for two-thirds or more of tho economic and cultural activity of Palestine. The Arabs professed to fear Jewish domination, but tho Jews did not want to dominate the Arabs, although they would not allow themselves to bo dominated by them.

Dr. Weizmann said he believed sincerely that the Jews and the Arabs could find a meeting ground beneficial to both, but this could only be on the basis of the mandate implemented in tho spirit and letter, including the largest total of Jewish immigration in accordance with economic capacity, the principle of an active policy of development and effective safeguards against minority status. Arabs' Case Discussed The morning session was devoted to a continuation of the discussion of the Arabs' case between tho Arab delegates and tho British representatives, Mr. Malcolm Mac Donald, Mr. R. A. Butler and the Marquess of Dufferin and Ava. To-morrow Amir Faishal and Prince Seif al Hussein will make statements and this will bo followed by a statement by Mr. Butler on behalf of Britain.