Statement on Palestine
(November 13, 1945)
Following the receipt of information from various sources
regarding the distressing situation of Jewish victims
of Nazi and Fascist persecution in Europe, I wrote to
Mr. Attlee on Aug. 31 bringing to his attention the suggestion
in a report of Mr. Earl G. Harrison that the granting
of an additional 100,000 certificates for the immigration
of Jews into Palestine would alleviate the situation.
A copy of my letter to Mr. Attlee is being made available
to the press. I continue to adhere to the views expressed
in that letter.
I was advised by the British Government that because
of conditions in Palestine it was not in a position
to adopt the policy recommended, but that it was deeply
concerned with the situation of the Jews in Europe.
During the course of subsequent discussions between
the two Governments, it suggested the establishment
of a joint Anglo-American committee of inquiry, under
a rotating chairmanship, to examine the whole question
and to make a further review of the Palestine problems
in the light of that examination and other relevant
considerations.
In view of our intense interest in this matter and
of our belief that such a committee will be of aid in
finding a solution which will be both humane and just,
we have acceded to the British suggestion.
The terms of reference this committee has agreed upon
between the two Governments are as follows:
1. To examine political, economic and social conditions
in Palestine as they bear upon the problem of Jewish
immigration and settlement therein and the well-being
of the peoples now living therein.
2. To examine the position of the Jews in those countries
in Europe where they have been the victims of Nazi and
Fascist persecution and the practical measures taken
or contemplated to be taken in those countries to enable
them to live free from discrimination and oppression
and to make estimates of those who wish or who will
be impelled by their conditions to migrate to Palestine
or other countries outside Europe.
3. To hear the views of competent witnesses and to
consult representative Arabs and Jews on the problems
of Palestine as such problems are affected by conditions
subject to examination under Paragraphs 1 and 2 above
and by other relevant facts and circumstances and to
make recommendations to His Majesty's Government and
the Government of the United States for ad interim handling
of these problems as well as for permanent solution.
4. To make such other recommendations to His Majesty's
Government and the Government of the United States as
may be necessary to meet the immediate needs arising
from conditions subject to examination under Paragraph
2 above, by remedial action in the European countries
in question or by the provision of facilities for emigration
to and settlement in countries outside Europe
It will be observed that among the important duties
of this committee will be the task of examining conditions
in Palestine as they bear upon the problem of Jewish
immigration.
The establishment of this committee will make possible
a prompt review of the unfortunate plight of the Jews
in those countries in Europe where they have been subjected
to persecution, and a prompt examination of questions
related to the rate of current immigration into Palestine
and the absorptive capacity of the country.
The situation faced by displaced Jews during the coming
winter allows no delay in this matter. I hope the committee
will be able to accomplish its important task with the
greatest speed.
The text of the letter addressed to the Prime Minister
of Great Britain under date of Aug. 31, 1945, follows:
"MY DEAR MR. PRIME MINISTER:
"Because of the natural interest of this Government
in the present condition and future fate of those displaced
persons in Germany who may prove to be stateless or
non-repatriable, we recently sent Mr. Earl G. Harrison
to inquire into the situation.
"Mr. Harrison was formerly the United States
Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization, and
is now the representative of this Government on the
Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees. The United
Kingdom and the United States, as you know, have taken
an active interest in the work of this committee.
"Instructions were given to Mr. Harrison to inquire
particularly into the problems and needs of the Jewish
refugees among the displaced persons.
Mr. Harrison visited not only the American zone in
Germany, but spent some time also in the British zone,
where he was extended every courtesy by the Twenty-first
Army headquarters.
"I have now received his report. In view of our
conversations at Potsdam I am sure that you will find
certain portions of the report interesting. I am, therefore,
sending you a copy.
"I should like to call your attention to the
conclusions and recommendations appearing on Page 8
and the following pages-especially the references to
Palestine. It appears that the available certificates
for immigration to Palestine will be exhausted in the
near future. It is suggested that the granting of an
additional 100,000 of such certificates would contribute
greatly to a sound solution for the future of Jews still
in Germany and Austria, and for other Jewish refugees
who do not wish to remain where they are or who for
understandable reasons do not desire to return to their
countries of origin.
"On the basis of this and other information which
has come to me I concur in the belief that no other
single matter is so important for those who have known
the horrors of concentration camps for over a decade
as is the future of immigration possibilities into Palestine.
"The number of such persons who wish immigration
to Palestine or who would qualify for admission there
is, unfortunately, no longer as large as it was before
the Nazis began their extermination program. As I said
to you in Potsdam, the American people, as a whole,
firmly believe that immigration into Palestine should
not be closed and that a reasonable number of Europe's
persecuted Jews should, in accordance with their wishes,
be permitted to resettle there.
"I know you are in agreement on the proposition
that future peace in Europe depends in large measure
upon our finding sound solutions of problems confronting
the displaced and formerly persecuted groups of people.
No claim is more meritorious than that of the groups
who for so many years have known persecution and enslavement
"The main solution appears to lie in the quick
evacuation of as many as possible of the non-repatriable
Jews, who wish it, to Palestine. If it is to be effective,
such action should not be long delayed.
"Very sincerely yours,
"HARRY S. TRUMAN"
Sources: New
York Times, (November 13, 1945). Words
of Peace-Words of War. |