R. BEVIN AND THE JEWS
HE of the Foreign Secretary's admirable statement alestine on Tuesday is that it concerned itself with Jews, not with Zionists ; the second is that it concerned itself with Jews
as a whole, not with Jews in relation to Palestine only ; the third
that it recognised the rights of Arabs as well as the rights of Jews in Palestine ; the fourth that it indicated the association of the United States with this country u the study of the immediate problem ; the fifth that it pointed forward to the ultimate association of the United Nations Organisation, through its Trusteeship
r. Council, in the ultimate solution of the Palestine problem ; the sixth that, coming from the Foreign Minister rather than the Colonial Secretary, it put the whole local problem in a larger setting. All this makes Mr. Bevin's statement a great improvement on the many similar utterances that have marked this chequered path in the past. The fact that both Jews and Arabs have received it with varying degrees of disappointment, so far from detracting from the value of the statement, is the best vindication of it ; a declaration that gave wholehearted satisfaction to either side would have produced something like revolt on the other. What reaction it will elicit, apart from the one-day strike of the Jews in Palestine, with accompanying disturbances, remains to be seen ; Mr. Bevin's assertion that attempts at recourse to force will be vigorously repressed will evoke universal approval.
The considerations adduced by this journal last week are so fully reflected in the Government statement that not a great deal more need be added. Certain fiked facts must be accepted as starting- point. One is that there can be no contemplation of a Europe from which all Jews have been removed to Palestine (if that were possible) or anywhere else. A second is that if Jews are removed from Europe, there are many countries besides Palestine where they can settle. The third, I it is necessary to repeat this yet again, is that there has never been any question, so far as the British Government is concerned, of turning Palestine into a Jewish State ; what the man- date contemplated was the creation in Palestine of a Jewish National Home, and the conditions for that have already been fulfilled. On the vexed question of immigration, Mr. Bevin is taking a wise middle course. It is not being discontinued, as the Arabs would like, but it is to continue only on the moderate scale—r,5oo entries a month— in operation at present, not in the form of the wholesale influx which the Zionists demand. The Arabs ought to make no trouble about this as an interim measure. Mr. Bevin's success in securing the co-operation of the Govern- ment of the United States in examining the whole problem of the Jews in Europe, and the contribution settlement in Palestine may make to the solution of that problem, is notable. Zionism is in- fluential in America, and impressions have been created which im- partial and disinterested American investigators may do much to modify or dispel ; if they do, some unjustified criticisms of British policy regarding Palestine will be silenced. There is the further consideration that American interest in the Arab world is increas- ing, as it is well that it should, and this enquiry will open far larger vistas than reveal themselves to eyes fixed exclusively on Palestine. It is quite true that the procedure outlined by Mr. evin will involve certain delays, but in fact the problem is not one of im- mediate urgency, despite endeavours to create not merely an atmo- sphere of cripis, but actual crisis. In spite of outrages which cause concern, the normal life of Palestine is going on, and the limited immigration which is permitted pending further decisions will not change the situation materially. The new High Commissioner, Sir ,Alan Cunningham, will no doubt have anxious moments, but he can be counted on to combine firmness with impartiality. If Jews and Arabs in Palestine are inspired by any practical political sense, they will realise that nothing could be more detrimental to their own interests than lawless manifestations at this juncture.
