ZIONISTS AND PALESTINE SIR,—In your issue of December 7th "
Janus," commenting on the figures revealed by Mr. Hall to the effect that only a little over too British Jews a year had emigrated to Palestine in the years 1922-1944, said: " In the light of this, what are British Zionists driving at? Do all the leaders who are urging that Palestine should be made a National Home for the Jews mean that other Jews should go there while they themselves hold fast to Hampstead? There may be another and a better explanation, but this is clearly the obvious one." There certainly is another explanation and I am astonished that a writer of the perspicacity and tolerance of " Janus " should have picked on so illiberal an explanation.
I do not happen myself to be a Jew, but I am a British Zionist. By this I mean that I am a supporter of the Balfour Declaration and would like to see a National Home created for the Jews in Palestine. Is it wrong for me to advocate this policy unless I wish to settle in Palestine myself, or is it only British Zionists who are Jews that " Janus " wishes to settle there? No Zionist, Jewish or non-Jewish, has ever suggested that all the sixteen million Jews in the world should seek admittance to Palestine. And why are the Jews of Hampstead specially selected for emigration? If we were to accept the reasoning of " Janus " it would be improper for any British politician or writer to urge a policy of Empire emigration unless he personally wished to settle in the Dominions or Colonies.
Zionism is partly a romantic and idealistic conception which many Jews adhere to without wishing themselves to go to Palestine. It is also a practical policy which might help the world to rescue the million or so Jews who are all that are left of the six million who lived in Europe before the rise of Hitler. The British Government, rightly or wrongly, has greatly curtailed the immigration of Jews into Palestine. Today only 1,500 a month are permitted to enter. Is it not better that some of these
who escaped the slaughter of Hitler and who are homeless and starving should go there than that their places should be taken by British Jews who, by comparison, are well off and for the most part are leading secure and useful lives in this country? Are the Jews of Hampstead who are relatively well off to be reproached because they do not hurry off to Palestine and crowd out their brethren who really have need of going there?
" Janus " should think again before he reverts to this topic.—Yours faithfully, RANDOLPH S. CHURCHILL. 804 Howard House, Dolphin Square, S.W. i.
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