Speech #780160953

Pierre van Paassen has called the Jewish participation in the war and the extraordinary heroism displayed by the Jews in Palestine during all of the campaigns in the Near East as the bestkept. secret of this war. But the secret is out. There is no question that Britain is entirely unjust in closing the doors of Palestineto Jewish refugees at a time when they need it most. The New York Times has published an editorial which I will incorporate in my remarks: STHE WfrrE PAPER According to the original provisions of the White Paper Issued by the British Government on May 17. 1939. Jewish immigration into Palestine was limited to 75.000 for a 5year period and was due to be stopped completely on March 31. 1944. Even that small quota was not filled because of war conditions. and the terms were modified last November to permit the entry of immigrants who were unable to reach the country before the deadline. But a mere extension of the time limit is not enough. As the end of the 5year period draws near it Is clearer than it was in 1939 that the ban imposed by the British after years of disorder and the failure of the abortive roundtable conference was a stopgap rather than a solution of a complex and burning problem. The case for American Intervention in this question Is stronger than it was 5 years ago. The presence of our troops and supply depots In the Near East and our vital concern in peace and order in this strategic area give us a greater right to urge that the white paper should now be abrogated. At the time it was published this newspaper opposed the rigid limitation on the flow of immigrants into Palestine as unjust and unacceptable. and everything that has happened since confirms. and strengthens that opinion. The increasingly desperate state of those of Jewish faith in Europe has made it more than ever evident that in these tragic years the doors of any place or refuge. instead of being closed to a crack. should have been opened wider. On the future political status of Palestine there is room for wide and deep divergences of view. This question remains. and promises to remain for a long time to come. one of the most complex and highly charged problems of postwar statesmanship. But it is significant that Jews and nonJews. no matter how much they differ on this point. stand solidily in support of that part of the current congressional resolution that advocates American initiative in seeking to obtain the resumption of immigration. The hearings before the House Foreign Affairs Committee reveal general agreement on the justice and necessity of removing the White Paper ban. This is a fair reflection of public opinion in this country. The final settlement of the Palestine problem fits into the framework of the general peace. It depends on the code of justice and security the victors are able to establish. Meantime there can be no question that humanity and a sense of reality demand that the arbitrary ban should be lifted and immigration should be permitted on the most generous terms possible. The Times is by no means a paper which favors Zionism. nevertheless it has taken the sound view that the British White Paper is at the present time a tremendous mistake. On the basis of Britains pledges. as well as for humanitarian reasons which we must not lose sight of.