Political report of the Executive of the Jewish Agency submitted to the ... Zionist Congress and the ... session of the Council of the Jewish Agency · 1937-08-01 · 8.1937 · p. Seite 30

30 a "gesture" being made on the Jewish side by suspending immigration in order to secure the re-establishment of peace. An inquirywas addressed to the Executive as to its attitude to such a proposal. The Executive lost no time in making abundantly clear to Government that there could be no question of its agreeing to such a course. 38. In July the question of the suspension of immigration came up afresh in connection with the setting up of the Palestine Royal Commission. It was this time suggested not as a measure to be immediately adopted, with a view to bringing about the termination of disorders, but to be enforced after the restoration of peace and prior to the arrival of the Royal Commission. It was evident at the same time that such a decision, if taken, might be announced immediately in order to hasten the end of disorders. New strenuous efforts were made to avert this course. Mr. David Ben Gurion, who soon after the beginning of the disturbances proceeded to London, was at that time in Jerusalem. He and Mr. Shertok interviewed the High Commissioner and made strong representations against any suspension of Jewish immigration. The case was summarised by Mr. Shertok in writing on July 12th, in the following terms : "____To announce that as soon as disorders stop immigration will be suspended is to hold out a bait for the cessation of disorders.... In so far, therefore, as there can be no question of a suspension of immigration while lawlessness continues, there should equally be no question of any announcement of a future suspension, nor of any intimation that a suspension of immigration is in store. If, however, the idea of announcing a suspension now is discarded, I can see no justification for a suspension after the termination of the disorders----To buy peace with an aggressor by a political concession ac the expense of the attacked party is a pernicious but logical method, however cynical and short-sighted its logic. But why, after peace has been re-eestablished, a premium should be put on Arab violence while both the suffering and the self-restraint of the Jews should be thus penalised is beyond our comprehension. At present Jews have the feeling that all their victims and losses, their superhuman exertions in defence as well as in the prevention of retaliation, have all been in & sense worth while, for their most sacred possession — the right to an uninterrupted immigration — has remained intact; To go through this ordeal only in order to be defeated on this decisive issue when the ordeal is over will mean for the Jews to experience