British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume I - Page 178

CHAPTER VII

31. Under these arrangements about 3,000 immigrants and returning residents from central Europe received facilities to proceed to Palestine during the early months of the war. Thereafter His Majesty's Government decided, for reasons of security, that no facilities were to be granted to any person of whatever nationality who came from or who had visited German territory since the beginning of the war.

32. At the beginning of December, 1939, the position so far as Jewish emigration from Europe was concerned may be summarized as follows :-

(a) His Majesty's Government decided on grounds of policy not to facilitate in any way immigration of Jewish or other refugees from Germany or territory occupied by Germany :

(b) while maintaining the decision not to assist the exodus of 'enemy' nationals it was decided to admit to Palestine Jewish holders of valid immigration certificates who had succeeded in leaving Germany and were then in Allied or neutral territory and those who arrived in such countries subsequently and were able to show that withdrawal of the certificate would involve hardship.

As Europe was being overrun by the Germans numbers of prospective immigrants who had received immigration certificates were prevented from proceeding to Palestine. When it became plain that these certificates could not be used Government authorized the issue of 'replacement' certificates which were granted mainly to refugees in allied or neutral territory.

The total number of such certificates issued between the beginning of the war and June, Hl41, was 1,336.

33. As the war proceeded the orders first given by His Majesty's Government were rela.xed to permit the immigration of the following classes of persons :-

(a) in May, 1940, the wives and children of authorized immigrants resident in Palestine and returning residents;

(b) in August, 1940 -

(i) children up to 15 years of age;

(ii) adult refugees of special standing such as public workers, writers, men of science and rabbis whom the Jewish Agency considered to be deserving of special help; and

(iii) responsible officials of the Jewish Agency in Germany and German occupied territory who stayed behind to assist Jewish immigrants till the last moment.

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