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 61

61 of a special Commissioner for the affected area of the Northern District, conditions speedily improved. 82. On the basis of the customary investigation, the Executive on April 15th applied for a half yearly labour immigration schedule of 11,250. There appeared to be some hesitation on the part of Government as to whether a schedule should be granted on the ground that the immigration question was regarded as being sub judice before the Royal Commission. The Executive again represented that there could be no justification for any change in the existing immigration procedure. The schedule was finally granted on the 10th May 1937, for a period not of six months as usual, but only for four months, i.e., from April to the end of July, by which time the publication of the Royal Commission's Report was expected. The size of the schedule was so small as to cause deep resentment. The schedule was fixed at 770 certificates, of which 620 were placed at the disposal of the Jewish Agency. Moreover, of the 620 certificates, 400 were given in respect of a specific application for the admission of immigrants from Germany on the basis of funds specially provided, so that the substantive schedule amounted to only 220 certificates. The Executive found itself constrained to reject the schedule reduced to such pitiable proportions. The grounds of its decision were set forth in a public statement issued on the 17th May, 1937. (Appendix VIII). 83. The period since the termination of the major disorders has been utilised by the Jewish Agency and its associated bodies for laying the foundations of new agricultural settlements. While the country was still in a disturbed state, steps were taken to occupy lands which had been acquired in recent years but had not yet been settled. This occupation was carried out in two stages. The first was in March and April, when possession was taken of the areas now known as Tel Amal, Hasadeh and Beit Yosef in the north of the Beisan Valley and Ein Hakoreh and Masada in the Jordan Valley near the Yarmuk. Financial difficulties made it at first appear questionable whether the establishment of further settlements could be effected. It was found essential, however, with a view to safeguarding important Jewish interests, that possession should be taken of as much of the vacant Jewish land as circumstances would permit. During the second stage of the occupation, at the end of June and early in July, the following settlements were established : Tirath