86. Did the Jews respect the boundaries of immigration stated in the White Papers of 1939?

The clear answer is: No. The Jewish operations to introduce illegal immigrants in Israel through land and sea (and since 1947 some were flown in) is known as “Hapala” (or Aliya B). Historians tend to divide the illegal immigration into three stages: the first one was between 1934-1939 when the Nazis came to power and other anti-Semitic parties, in parallel to the British limitation to extending immigration permits (certificates). Only between 1935 and 1937, 137.000 legal immigrants escaped from Hitler. However, another million people were waiting in Europe. At the same time, and in 50 boats, there were 21.000 Jews who were able to immigrate to Israel illegally. Around 12.000 were brought by the Revisionists Movement, 6.000 by the Hagana and Hechalutz and other 3.000 by various organizations. The second period was between 1939 and 1945: Ben Gurion changed his position towards opposing illegal immigration and turned to support it after the Peel Commission (that is why the number of illegal immigrants brought by the Hagana during the first period was less than those from the Revisionists). A total of 27 ships arrived illegally to Palestine during World War II, bringing 17.000 Jews. The third period, between 1945 and 1948: after the end of World War II, around 84.000 Jewish refugees entered Israel illegally. The British were able to stop most of the ships allowing some to stay regardless of the established permissions stated in the White Papers of 1939, while they deported another 52.000. At the same time, 250.000 Jews were in refugee camps or even in the concentration camps in Europe after suffering the Shoa. Illegal immigration cost many lives. Around 2.000 immigrants were found dead after their ships sank or during their capture by the British Armada. During the three waves of illegal immigration, 115.000-132.000 Jews arrived in Palestine.