In November 1938, another commission is sent by Britain, headed by Sir John Woodhead, to assess the plausibility of the partition outlined in the Peel Commission. It concludes that the division according to the Peel Commission is not feasible, especially since the number of Arabs in the Jewish state would near enough equal the Jewish population. The Peel Commission suggests to significantly reduce the Jewish state and to limit the sovereignty of both states, which in effect nullifies the Peel Commission. This was rejected by both sides.
In a last ditch effort to resolve the issue, Britain orders both Arab and Jewish delegates to meet in London for a conference known as the “Round Table Conference” (between February-March 1939). On 11th March, Muslim delegates attending the Round Table Conference are invited to meet at the Fazl Mosque in London, where a message of support by the Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Community is read out.
With the possibility of a war looming in Europe, Britain knows that it will not be able to keep troops in Palestine for long. Similarly, it is unfavourable to fuel further Arab hostilities in Palestine and the region. Therefore, in May 1939, Britain issues a new “White Paper” which states that since more than 450,000 Jews have settled in Palestine, Britain has fulfilled its obligations of forming a Jewish national home as set out in the Balfour Declaration. It outlines that in the next five years, 75,000 Jews would be permitted to migrate to Palestine, and any subsequent Jewish immigration would be subject to the approval of the Arabs, as well as placing restrictions on land sale. A significant part of the “White Paper” is that an independent state of Palestine would be formed within ten years.
The Zionists outright reject the “White Paper” as it was a major setback in to their goal of a separate Jewish homeland and issues a general strike in Palestine on 18th May. Although the proposal was in favour of the Arab cause, they also initially reject it as they deeply mistrust the British, owing to the policies adopted in the earlier two decades. Furthermore, the Arabs are opposed to one particular clause in the proposal that allows room for Britain to further the mandate beyond the 10 year period. However, a year later, Arab delegates agreed to the proposal and signed the declaration in London.
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