British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume I - Page 64. Historical Summary: May-June, 1942, The period of political Dormancy during the Early Years of the World War.

CHAPTER II.

that, before the relevant arrangements had been completed, the Turkish authorities returned the vessel to the Black Sea. It sank on the 24th February as the result of an explosion, with a loss of 760 Jewish passengers. As soon as the news reached Palestine a violent campaign was launched by the Jews against Government; violently abusive pamphlets and manifestos condemning the "murder" of the passengers by the Palestine Government demanded the removal of restrictions on immigration. This anti Government propaganda continued throughout March.

10th March, 1942.

The problem of immigration into Palestine, with special reference to the "Patria" and "Struma" disasters, was debated in the House of Lords-.

May, 1942.

A conference of American Zionists was held at the Biltmore Hotel, New York, and resolutions defining Zionist aims were passe-l. Briefly, they comprised :-

(a) The immediate establishment in Palestine of a Jewish Commonwealth as an integral part of the new democratic world.

(b) The rejection of the White Paper of Hl39.

(c) Unrestricted Jewish immigration and settlement in Palestine.

(d) Jewish Agency control of immigration and settlement in Palestine.

(e) This formation and recognition of a Jewish military force fighting under its own flag.

June, 1942.

The German advance across the Egyptian frontier caused apprehension, but there was no panic in Palestine. Rumours which had previously been put about that the Arabs were planning serious trouble proved totally unfounded, and local security conditions remained good. The economic condition of the Arab population generally and of the peasantry in particular was now better than they had ever known, and the near approach of the enemy brought full realization of what Axis domination would mean to them. During the next few months, until the British victory at Alamein in November, local politics were once again subordinated to the war crisis.
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* Hansard, Vol. 122, Cols. 200-223.
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