THE JEWS OF EUROPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 270, 15 November 1945, Page 5

THE JEWS OF EUROPE

BRITAIN AND U.S. TO MAKE A JOINT ENQUIRY FUTURE OF PALESTINE INVOLVED

Recd. 6 p.m. London, Nov. 13. Britain and America will make a joint inquiry into the question of European Jewry. This has been announced simultaneously by the British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Bevin, and President Truman. In a statement in the House of Commons on Palestine, Mr. Bevin said: “We cannot accept the view that the Jews should be driven from Europe and not permitted to live in European countries and contribute their ability and talent towards the rebuilding and prosperity of Europe. Palestine might be able to contribute to the problem of ' European Jews, but it does not alone provide sufficient opportunity for grappling with the whole problem. The mandate of Palestine required a mandatory Power which will facilitate Jewish immigration, while ensuring the rights of other sections of the population. A lack of any clear definition in this dual obligation has been the main cause of the trouble in Palestine for the past 26 years since the introduction of the mandate, it has been impossible to find common ground between Jews and Arabs.” Mr. Bevin then announced that the United States had accepted an invitation to co-operate with Britain in making a joint inquiry to examine the question for European Jewry and to make a further review of the Palestine prbblem in the light of this examination. TERMS OF REFERENCE.

"Further, the United States has undertaken that no decision shall be taken in respect of what, in their opinion affects the basic situation in Palestine without full consultation with both Arabs and Jews,” Mr. Bevin added. Britain could not divest herself of her duties and responsibilities under the mandate while the mandate was continued.

"In making this new approach, the Government wishes to make it clear that the Palestine problem will not be settled by force. Any attempt to do so by any party will resolutely be dealt with.” A WORLD QUESTION. Mr. Bevin gave the terms of reference for the joint British-American committee of inquiry as follow; 1. To examine political and economic conditions in Palestine as they bear upon the problem of Jewish immigration and settlements in Palestine, also upon the wellbeing of the people now living in Palest.ne. 2. To examine the position of Jews in those countries of Europe where they have been victims of Nazi and Fascist persecution, and practical measures taken and contemplated to enable them to l.ve free of discrimination; also to estimate the numbers who wish or will be impelled by conditions to migrate to Palestine or to other countries of Europe. 3. To hear evidence bearing on the terms of reference from representative Jews and Arabs, also to make recommendations to the two Governments for the interim handling of problems, as well as for a permanent solution.

4. To make such other recommendations as may be i ecessary to meet immediate needs arising from conditions in Europe by remedial action in Europe or by the provision of facilities for immigration from Europe. Mr. Bevin said one of the first, tasks of the joint committee would be to consult with the Arabs with a view to arrangements which would ensure there was no interruption of Jewish immigration at the present monthly rate, pending the receipt of an interim recomme: dation. "The Arabs are meeting me ver\ well,” he said. "I thank them. There is a great response, except from one

small section among the Jewry. AH Jews are not Zionists; they want this problem settled.” LONG TERM VIEW WANTED. Addressing a Press conference after his House of Commons statement, Mr. Bevin said: “This is no longer a question affecting Palestine alone; we are very anxious that the world shall take it very seriously. There are great and fundamental differences, and you cannot understand this problem unless you have read both the Bible and Koran, which 1 have done." “I have carefully studied all the revel ant papers extending over many years. We undertook to establish a Jewish home in Palestine, but we never undertook to establish a Jewish State. ■ The former promise we must fulfil, and there are excellent possibilities of the question being handled properly. We believe when Europe settles down it probably will be found that many Jews will make the best contritftition to European reconstruction that can possibly be found. - We probably would never have won the war if Hitler had not made the great mistake of driving the Jews from Europe. I say to the Arabs, and everybody in the world, that probably one of the greatest indirect blessings was that Hitler never had the sense to harness the great capacity of the Jewish community.”

Mr. Bevin appealed to the Jews not to over-emphasise the racial question. "If Jews, because of their sufferings, want too much, we might have the danger of another outbreak of antisemitism.” he said.

Mr. Bevin earnestly appealed to Jews to take a long term view, as only thereby could a permanent settlement, be achieved. One of the tragedies of the Balfour Declaration was that it was unilateral he continued. "If British and American Governments of the last war had taken the precaution of really settling with the Arabs before this unilateral declaration, we might have avoided all this trouble. Any attempt to ride roughshod over the Arabs’ opinions would be profound. I have been conferring with Arab representatives. They are great people and truly generous.” Mr. Bevin, re-emphasising the great danger of racial prejudice, added that there was never a time when the Moslems and Hindus in India were so interested in the Palestine problem, and unless it was handled properly there was a grave possibility of most irrational religious trouble. "I believe in mv heart that if I could solve the Palestine problem I would achieve democratic freedom from India westward; that is my dream." Mr. Bevin concluded that the United Nations organisation must come sooner or later, but whatever its design or constitution, it could rest only on the peoples, never on governments.

Mr. Truman, in announcing the agreement in Washington, said the proposal to establish the BritishAmerican commit te was made by Britain after he had proposed the admission to Palestine of an additional 100,000 Jews. In the course of a letter to Mr. Attlee, Mr. Truman said: -"I know you are in agreement that the future peace of Europe depends in a large measure on our finding solutions of the problems confronting displaced and formerly persecuted groups of people. No claim is more meritorious than that of groups, who. for so many years knew persecution and enslavement. The main solution appears to be in quick evacuations of as manv as possible non-repatriable Jews, who wish to go to Palestine. If this is to be effective, action should not long be delayed.”