Chicago Tribune · Chicago, Illinois · 20 November 1945

CP-1945-005

Move Palestine Arabs To Iraq, Hoover Urges

Offers Reclamation Plan to Solve Problem

Special, New York

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Transcribed from the clipping

“New York, Nov. 19 [Special]—Reclamation of the Tigris and Euphrates valleys in Iraq thru irrigation, and resettlement in that potentially rich area of Arabs now living in Palestine was suggested today by former President Hoover as ‘a possible plan’ for solving the Palestine problem.

Removal of the Arabs from Palestine would clear the Holy Land completely for Jewish emigration and colonization, the former President said, and at the same time would give the Arabs more room and more fertile land than they now have in Palestine.

Approaching the problem entirely from an engineering standpoint, Hoover said in an interview that in ancient times the irrigation of the Tigris and Euphrates valleys supported probably 10 million people in the kingdoms of Babylon and Nineveh… Hoover suggested that Iraq, which has sovereignty over the Tigris and Euphrates valleys, be financed to complete this great land development on the consideration that it be made the scene of resettlement of the Arabs from Palestine.

Iraq is in great need of an increased agricultural population, he added. ‘There is room for many more Arabs in such a development in Iraq than the total of Arabs in Palestine,’ Hoover said. ‘The soil is more fertile. They would be among their own race, which is Arab speaking and Mohammedan.

The Arab population of Palestine would be the gainer from better lands in exchange for their present holdings.’ ‘Today millions of people are being moved from one land to another. If the lands were organized and homes provided, this particular movement could be made the model migration of history. It would be a solution by engineering instead of by conflict.’

Hoover said he realizes the plan offers a challenge both to the statesmanship of the great powers and the good will of all parties concerned. He gave his views on the subject in reply to a question from the New York World-Telegram as to whether he believes any sound or practical basis exists for settlement of the Jewish-Arab question.”

Context added by this archive

The Hoover proposal on a Chicago front page with a map drawn for it, the day after the Evening Star carried the wire version. The subheadings are “Cost Under 15 Million” and “Called Model Migration.” Beside it, a former United States senator favoring the use of American troops in Palestine, and two soldiers from Rockford joining the regular army in Iran.

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