Page:Zionism 9204 Peace Conference 1920.pdf/54

42 for all religious denominations is vital for them. Were they to set an example in Palestine of disregarding this principle, they would convict themselves of having appealed to it for purely selfish motives. In the countries in which they are still struggling for equal rights they would find themselves hopelessly compromised, while in other countries where those rights have been secured they would have great difficulty in defending them.

The proposal is the more inadmissible because the Jews are, and will probably long remain, a minority of the population in Palestine. and because it might involve them in the bitterest feuds with their neighbours of other races and religions, which would seriously retard their progress. and would lind deplorable echoes throughout the Orient. Nor is the scheme necessary for the Zionists themselves. If the Jews prevail in a competition based on perfect equality of rights and opportunity, they will establish their eventual preponderance in the land on a far sounder foundation than any that can be secured by privileges and monopolies.

If the Conjoint Committee can be satisfied with regard to these points they will be prepared to co-operate for securing for the Zionist Organization the united support of Jewry.

(Signed)DAVID L. ALEXANDER, President, Board of Deputies of British Jews.

CLAUDE G. MONTEFIORE, President. Anglo-Jewish Association. London. May 17th, 1917.

This statement appeared in The Times of May 24, 1917, and raised a storm of protest in the Jewish community. Among the dissentients who wrote to The Times were the Chief Rabbi, Lord Rothschild, and a member of the Conjoint Committee, E. N. Adler, who pointed out that the statement did not represent the views of the majority either of Jews or non-Jews or even of the constituent assemblies which the Conjoint Committee represented. The Jewish Board of Deputies denounced the treaty with the Anglo-Jewish Association, and the Conjoint Committee came to an end. After considerable discussion, its place was taken by a 'Joint Committee' with a mandate to represent its constituents on all matters except Palestine; but in November 1918 this embargo was removed, and it is hoped that, in view of