Auction 56 Jewish and Israeli History and Culture
Jun 27, 2017
Israel
 8 Ramban St, Jerusalem.
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LOT 19:

Josiah Clement Wedgwood - Collection of Documents - British Mandate of Palestine

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Josiah Clement Wedgwood - Collection of Documents - British Mandate of Palestine
Collection of letters and documents of Josiah Clement Wedgwood (1872-1943), British parliament member, one of the leading Anglo-Christian advocates for Zionist causes. Most items are from Britain and the United States from the years 1938-1939. English (some items in German).
During his years of office in the British Parliament (first on behalf of the Liberal party and later on behalf of the Labor) Wedgwood worked tirelessly to support Zionist interests. Wedgwood criticized the moderate attitude of the Zionist leadership towards the British and was close to Revisionist leaders. During World War II he attempted to assist Jews in Nazi occupied territories and encouraged Ha'apala (illegal immigration) and underground operations in Palestine (one of the illegal immigration ships was even named after him).
The documents in this collection record Wedgwood's activity during the years 1938-1939, and mainly his pro-Zionist activity, and include copies of letters and memorandums, letters sent to him, personal documents, and more.
Among the items:
* A printed memorandum to Chaim Weizmann concerning Palestine, in which Wedgwood writes which of the territories should be under Jewish rule and which under British rule (in case the country is divided), and recommends that Weizmann treats the British more assertively, and to face them with the "threat of force". * A copy of a letter to Chaim Weizmann in which Wedgwood writes that he will be unable to assist Jews in Palestine unless Weizmann makes it clear to the British government that Jews in the country will resist by every means the establishment of an independent state as outlined by the British government. At the end of the letter Wedgwood writes: "Neither Churchill nor I will raise a finger unless you and your people show courage and take risks upon yourselves". * A printed draft of an address to the British prime minister concerning Palestine. * Two letters from the American rabbi Louis Newman from "Rodeph Sholom" congregation in New-York, typewritten and signed by hand. In one of the letters Newman announced the founding of the organization "American Friends of a Jewish Palestine". * Copy of a typewritten letter from March 1939, dealing with the initiative of an alliance between Britain and the Soviet Union against Hitler. * "An Autobiography for Great-Grandchildren". Wedgwood's autobiography, printed (17 pages). * More documents and letters.
Total of about 50 items. Size and condition vary. Filing holes to all of the leaves.

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