Bermuda Conference
Encyclopedia
The Bermuda Conference was an international conference between the United Kingdom
and the United States
held on April 19, 1943 at Hamilton, Bermuda
, Bermuda Triangle. Discussions included the question of Jewish refugee
s who had been liberated by Allied forces and those who still remained Nazi
-occupied Europe. The only agreement made was that the war must be won against the Nazis.
The United States delegation was led by Dr. Harold W. Dodds
.
were rejected.
A week later, the American Zionist
Committee for a Jewish Army ran an advertisement in the New York Times condemning the United States efforts at Bermuda for being a mockery of past promises to the Jewish people and of Jewish suffering under Nazi occupation.
Senator Harry S Truman withdrew his membership from the committee over what was perceived as an insult to members of the United States Senate
who had been involved with the conference. As president, Truman went on to give the support Israel
needed to be recognized as a state.
Szmul Zygielbojm
, a member of the Jewish advisory body to the Polish government-in-exile, committed suicide in protest.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
held on April 19, 1943 at Hamilton, Bermuda
Hamilton, Bermuda
Hamilton is the capital of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. It is the territory's financial centre and a major port and tourist destination.-Geography:...
, Bermuda Triangle. Discussions included the question of Jewish refugee
Refugee
A refugee is a person who outside her country of origin or habitual residence because she has suffered persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because she is a member of a persecuted 'social group'. Such a person may be referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until...
s who had been liberated by Allied forces and those who still remained Nazi
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
-occupied Europe. The only agreement made was that the war must be won against the Nazis.
The United States delegation was led by Dr. Harold W. Dodds
Harold W. Dodds
Harold Willis Dodds was the fifteenth President of Princeton University.-Early life and education:Dodds was born on June 28, 1889 in Utica, Pennsylvania, the son of a professor of Bible Studies at Grove City College...
.
Reaction
A New York Times article dated April 30, 1943 and titled "Hopeful Hint Ends Bermuda Sessions" stated that recommendations which were not capable of being accomplished under war conditions and which would most likely delay the war effort of the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
were rejected.
A week later, the American Zionist
Zionism
Zionism is a Jewish political movement that, in its broadest sense, has supported the self-determination of the Jewish people in a sovereign Jewish national homeland. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, the Zionist movement continues primarily to advocate on behalf of the Jewish state...
Committee for a Jewish Army ran an advertisement in the New York Times condemning the United States efforts at Bermuda for being a mockery of past promises to the Jewish people and of Jewish suffering under Nazi occupation.
Senator Harry S Truman withdrew his membership from the committee over what was perceived as an insult to members of the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
who had been involved with the conference. As president, Truman went on to give the support Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
needed to be recognized as a state.
Szmul Zygielbojm
Szmul Zygielbojm
Szmul Zygielbojm was a Jewish-Polish socialist politician, leader of the Bund, and a member of the National Council of the Polish government in exile...
, a member of the Jewish advisory body to the Polish government-in-exile, committed suicide in protest.
External links
- Bermuda Conference from Yad Vashem's Shoa Research Centre
- The Allies' Refugee Conference--A "Cruel Mockery" by Dr. Rafael Medoff