Report to the ... Zionist Congress and to the Council of the Jewish Agency in ... · 1935-08-01 · 8.1935 · p. Seite 440

which was published officially, the High Commissioner stated inter alia that Jewish immigration was being admitted in accordance with the country's absorptive capacity, but that in determining that capacity Government was taking into account future prospects as well as immediate requirements, and, furthermore, such unemployment as existed among both Jews and Arabs. He announced at the same time the new measures adopted for restricting Jewish tourist traffic. These, it should be recorded, had been decided upon and communicated to the Executive prior to the October disturbances. The High Commissioner further stated that the illicit settlement of Jews in Palestine constituted a legitimate grievance for the Arab population. 8. The Executive found it necessary to reply publicly and without delay to the High Commissioner's declaration. Its statement appeared one day after the official communiqué on the discussion between the High Commissioner and the Arab Mayors. The Executive stated that in its considered opinion Government had in practice disregarded the principle of the absorptive capacity when assessing the labour schedules. It took exception to the High Commissioner's reference to the " legitimate grievance " which the Arabs of Palestine had on account of illicit Jewish settlement, pointing out that such settlers had not fallen a charge upon the public, nor deprived any section of the population of its employment. It emphasised that if the Government had seen its way to allow Jewish immigration to grow to the full extent of the possibilities of economic absorption, there would have been no inducement for Jews to enter or settle in Palestine illegally. It further pointed out that the two considerations which had been mentioned by the High Commissioner as governing the grant of the labour schedules—concern for the future as distinct from the needs of the present, and the state of unemployment in the country generally, including the Arab population—implied a distinct departure from the policy laid down in the Prime Minister's letter to Dr. Weizmann in regard to the assessment of the absorptive capacity for purposes of Jewish immigration. 9. Action was taken to draw public attention to the dangers facing the Jewish work of development in consequence of the inadequate labour immigration, particularly as regards the fate of Jewish labour positions in agriculture. A consultation of economic bodies and organisations was convened to hear the Executive's report on the situation and discuss the grave prospects of the labour market. Similarly, a special session of the Vaad Leumi heard the Executive's report on the immigration situation. These consultations served as a basis for the representations which were made to the High Commissioner by a special delegation of the Vaad Leumi, including also representatives of the Agudath Israel, the Municipality of Tel-Aviv, the Manufacturers' Association, and the Sharon orange growers. A member of the Executive (Mr. David Ben-Gurion) was deputed to place the facts of the situation 440