British Jewry Mourns Death of King; Sharett’s Visit Cancelled

The Jewish community of Britain was plunged into mourning today at the sudden death of King George VI. Jewish organizations from all parts of the Empire and in Britain itself, including the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Zionist Federation, expressed their grief in messages of condolence to the Royal family.

The visit of Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett of Israel to Britain was cancelled as a consequence, and the Foreign Minister cut short his trip at Paris. At the same time, the Joint Palestine Appeal, which Mr. Sharett was to have launched on its 1952 campaign, announced cancellation of plans for opening the drive at an inaugural banquet next week, as scheduled. Instead, the launching of the campaign will be postponed until some time in March, at which time Mr. Sharett will come here to officiate.

Eliahu Elath, Israeli Minister to London, visited the residence of the Queen today and signed the guest book in a gesture of respect for the British King–a practice followed by the heads of diplomatic missions in this country. The Israeli flag in front of the legation here was lowered to half-mast. In a message of condolence addressed to Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden, Minister Elath extended the “profound sympathy” of his government and himself for the “irreparable loss sustained by the British people through the untimely passing of their beloved ruler, King George VI.”

(In Israel the flag in front of the residence of President Weizmann was half-staffed. Acting President Joseph Sprinzak sent a message of condolence to Queen Elizabeth while Premier David Ben Gurion, in his capacity of Acting Foreign Minister, sent messages of condolence to Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden and to the Foreign Secretaries of all the British Dominion Governments. )

The Board of Deputies’ message of condolence expressed the “deep sorrow” of British and Commonwealth Jewry. “The King’s noble life was wholly devoted to the interests of his country and peoples and he will ever be gratefully remembered by his grief-stricken subjects of the Jewish faith, ” the Board’s message added.

The British Section of the World Jewish Congress, in its message, declared that the sorrow of the Jews of Britain would be “shared by Jews all over the world who, with deep respect, have followed the reign of His Majesty and admired his humanity and ceaseless devotion throughout the many years of grave responsibility.” S. Levenburg, Jewish Agency representative in Britain, declared that “the Jewish people will mourn the loss of a great friend of Israel.” In addition, messages were sent by the Zionist Federation, the British executive of the Agudas Israel World Organization and the Board of Deputies of South African Jews.