What Did the 1939 White Paper Say About Palestine Becoming an Independent State by 1949?
The 1939 White Paper was a policy document issued by the British government on May 23, 1939, in response to the April 16, 1936, to August 26, 1939, Arab Revolt in Palestine. Authored by British Colonial Secretary Malcom Macdonald, the White Paper declared that it was not British policy for Palestine to become a Jewish State by 1949, but instead called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian State to be governed by Arabs and Jews alike.
The White Paper of 1939, issued by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's cabinet and prepared by Colonial Secretary Malcom MacDonald, had the primary goal of imposing strict limits on Jewish immigration, capping the total amount at 75,000 over the next five years.
Any number over the capacity would require the Arab population's consent.
At a time when the Jews were facing persecution from Nazism, beginning in January 1933 following their seizure of power, and fears of another world war, they were barred from living in the only region in which they felt safe.
Set in place by the White Paper, Jewish land purchases were prohibited, making native settlements difficult.
Yet, the zoning breakdown was divided into three zones: Zone A covered 63% of Mandatory Palestine, where land transfers to anyone other than a Palestinian Arab were prohibited; Zone B covered 32% of the country, where transfers to non-Arabs required approval from the High Commissioner; and the Free Zone comprised 5% of Mandatory Palestine, where Jewish land acquisition was unrestricted.
Although these measures were legal, the Jewish community saw it as a betrayal of the Balfour Declaration of 1917 and the original rules in the proclamation.
Originally, one of the vital intentions within the White Paper gave Jewish people the right to build their sovereign home in Palestine.
At a critical moment when the Holocaust was imminent, the Jews just needed a haven to protect themselves from ongoing oppression.
Because of the limitations stated by the White Paper of 1939, the Jewish people were essentially denied the right to a Jewish state within their native homeland, but the struggle would end upon the creation of Israel in 1948.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1) What were the immigration limits of the British White Paper of 1939?
The British White Paper of 1939 restricted Jewish immigration to a total of 75,000 people over the following five years, after which further immigration required Arab consent.
Source: https://ecf.org.il/issues/issue/955
2) Why was the British White Paper of 1939 Issued?
The British White Paper of 1939 was issued on May 17, 1939, in response to the 1936-1939 Arab Revolt, along with securing strategic stability in the Middle East on the eve of World War II.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Paper_of_1939
3) How did the Jewish community react to the British White Paper of 1939?
Zionist leaders and the Yishuv rejected the policy. They viewed it as a betrayal of the Balfour Declaration, along with a denial of a haven for European Jews fleeing Nazi persecution.
Source: https://4score.org/historical-documents/british-white-paper-1939
Why it matters
Israel was in desperate need of a Jewish state. At the time, Jews were fighting for their own safety and security because of escalating anti-semitic ideologies in Europe. In retrospect, the White Paper of 1939 suspended all Jewish immigration throughout World War II, leading to fear and oppression from 1939 to 1945.