Autograph Letter Signed in Hebrew to "Gruenbaum" [Yitzchak] updating him concerning the gravity of the political situation in London

BEN-GURION, DAVID

London

20th September, 1945

Hebrew. Green ink on paper

Ben Gurion makes three points: 1) President Truman's recommendation to Prime Minister Attlee that 100,000 certificates for immigration to Palestine be made available immediately, has been rejected. 2) The British Government has decided to continue the policy of the White Paper, with the adjustment that just 1500 Jews per month be allowed entry to Palestine (this decision will be formally announced at the meeting of Parliament on October 9th, 1945). 3) Friends inside the Government have opined that this decision is not final. In light of the situation, Ben Gurion has advised that all talks with the British Government be suspended; that Ch[aim] W[eizmann] tender his resignation in symbolic protest; and that the Government handle Aliyah itself. Finally, Ben-Gurion summons the Zionists of England to a special meeting, to be held Monday next (Chol ha-Mo'ed Sukoth). David Ben Gurion served at this time (and had since 1935) as Chairman of the Jewish Agency Executive. Yitzchak Gruenbaum (1879-1970) was since 1933 a member of the Jewish Agency Executive. He later became Israel's first Minister of the Interior. See EJ, Vol. VII, cols. 943-944