Government declaration on the deportation of illegal immigrants to Cyprus in 1946

The Government Declaration on the Deportation of Illegal Immigrants to Cyprus in 1946 was a document published on August 13, 1946 by the British government under Clement Attlee , with which it responded to the increasing immigration pressure of the Alija Bet and the deportation of arrested immigrants to camps in Cyprus , the so-called Operation Igloo , legitimized.

prehistory

Under the pressure of Arab uprisings in Palestine in the 1930s and 1940s, the immigration quotas for Jews were increasingly reduced. The Jewish immigrants turned more and more to conspiratorial and illegal methods to enter Palestine. This illegal immigration was organized by the Mossad le Alija Bet and supported by the Jewish Agency and other Jewish organizations such as Hagana , Palmach and Palyam in terms of personnel, logistics and organization.

The British Mandate Government responded to illegal immigration with blockades and rigorous prosecution of illegal immigrants. The arrested people were deported to an internment camp near Atlit, which quickly reached its capacity limits. The British government was forced to act as a result of the circumstances in the camp and the Palmach's repeated actions to help the inmates to escape. Therefore, internment camps were set up outside of Palestine, especially in Karaulus near Famagusta , Dekelia and Xylotumbo near Larnaka on Cyprus. With the government declaration on the deportation of illegal immigrants, the new approach of the British government was made known and justified.

Government statement

"Governmental Declaration on Deportation of Illegal Immigrants to Cyprus, August 13, 1946

No country in the world has been a better or more consistent friend of the Jewish people than Britain. Wherever the Jews were persecuted the voice of Britain was lifted in protest and, wherever possible, action was taken to mitigate their lot.

When they were persecuted by Hitler, the British people not only protested most vigorously, but a large body of refugees from Nazi barbarism were received in our country. Even during the war, when our people were hard pressed for shelter and supplies, more were allowed in. Altogether 200,000 refugees - a large proportion of them Jews - landed in Britain.

It was under the British mandate that nearly 400,000 Jews legally settled in Palestine, where a great Jewish community now exists. When it was threatened with Nazi invasion - a terrible threat to the Palestinian Jews - British arms prevented that dread possibility. The Jews in Palestine were given arms so that they might be equipped for their own defense and to enable them to take part in the common struggle. In Britain there are no pogroms: Jews enjoy all the rights of civil liberty.

For all these reasons His Majesty's Government can no longer tolerate this attempt to force their hand in framing a new policy for Palestine. They have made urgent representations to the Governments of the countries from which the immigrants are despatched in order to stop the traffic at its source. In addition instructions have been given to the Palestine authorities that the reception into Palestine of illegal immigrants must cease.

Accordingly, immigrants arriving illegally will henceforward be conveyed to Cyprus or elsewhere and housed in camps there until a decision can be taken as to their future. Meanwhile, it is fully understood that many of the illegal immigrants concerned have come through conditions of great hardship in circumstances not under their control, and all reasonable measures will be taken for their health and well-being.

In announcing this decision, His Majesty's Government wish to make it clear that, while they cannot tolerate this attempt by a minority of Zionist extremists to exploit the sufferings of unfortunate people in order to create a situation prejudicial to a just settlement, they are deeply sensitive of the sufferings undergone by a Jewish community and anxious to bring them to an end and as soon as possible.

It is clear that a permanent solution of this complicated question an only be brought about if Jews and Arabs are prepared to enter upon discussions in a realistic and constructive spirit in order to evolve a practical scheme for harmonizing the claims of these two historic peoples. "

Unofficial translation

No country in the world was a better or more constant friend of the Jewish people than Britain. Wherever the Jews were persecuted, the voice of Britain was raised in protest and, wherever possible, action was taken to alleviate their lot.

When they were persecuted by Hitler, not only did the British people protest most vigorously, but a large majority of the refugees from the barbarism of the Nazis were received in our country. Even during the war, when our people were poorly protected and cared for, more were allowed to enter. A total of 200,000 refugees, a large proportion of them Jews, ended up in Britain.

Under the British Mandate, nearly 400,000 Jews legally settled in Palestine, which is now a large Jewish community. When it was threatened by a Nazi invasion - a terrible thought for Palestinian Jews - British weapons prevented this horrific possibility. The Jews in Palestine were given weapons to equip them for their own defense and to enable them to take part in common struggle. There are no pogroms in Britain: Jews enjoy all the rights of civil liberty.

For all these reasons, His Majesty's government can tolerate this attack, which is intended to force its hand on a new course for Palestine. She raised an urgent objection to the governments of the countries from which immigrants are leaving with the aim of stopping traffic at its source. In addition, instructions were given to the Palestinian authorities that the reception of illegal immigrants in Palestine must end.

Accordingly, illegally arriving immigrants will in future be brought to Cyprus or other places and placed in camps until a decision can be made about their future. Meanwhile, it goes without saying that many of the illegal immigrants affected will come through circumstances of grave distress beyond their control and all reasonable steps will be taken for their health and well-being.

In announcing this decision, His Majesty's Government wishes to make it clear that, while it cannot tolerate the aspirations of a minority Zionist extremists to exploit the suffering of the unfortunate people to create a detrimental situation for an adequate settlement, they [His government Your Majesty] is deeply aware of the suffering of the Jewish community and endeavors to bring them to an end as soon as possible.

It is clear that a permanent solution to this complicated question can only be arranged if Jews and Arabs are willing to participate in discussions in a realistic and constructive spirit in order to develop workable measures to harmonize the claims of these two historical peoples.

consequences

The deportation to camps in Cyprus initiated by the government declaration did not reduce illegal immigration, so that the camps there were soon overcrowded. The government declaration had thus failed to achieve its goal.

The intolerable conditions in the camps and the attempt by the British to also use camps in Germany with Operation Oasis (see the fate of the Exodus ) put Great Britain in a bad light among the world public. The unabated wave of immigration and the continuous attempts to escape from the camps tied British military forces, which, together with the continuing tensions and violence in the mandate area itself, caused a wear and tear. As a consequence, the British government resigned the League of Nations mandate for Palestine.