The Kimberley Plan was a 1930s proposal to establish a Jewish homeland in northern Australia as a refuge from Nazi persecution, highlighting historical efforts for Jewish resettlement.

The Kimberley Plan: A Bold Proposal for a Jewish Homeland in Australia

Imagine a world where the vast, untamed wilderness of northern Australia became a sanctuary for Jewish refugees fleeing persecution. This was the vision of the Kimberley Plan, a fascinating yet little-known proposal that emerged in the 1930s. The plan was the brainchild of Dr. Isaac Nachman Steinberg, a Russian-born Jewish lawyer and former Soviet Commissar of Justice, who sought a safe haven for Jews escaping the horrors of Nazi Europe. In 1939, Steinberg, representing the Freeland League for Jewish Territorial Colonization, proposed to the Australian government the establishment of a Jewish settlement in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. The idea was to create a self-governing Jewish community that could accommodate up to 75,000 refugees.

The Kimberley region, known for its rugged beauty and sparse population, was seen as an ideal location due to its vast land and potential for agricultural development. Steinberg's proposal was driven by the urgent need to find a refuge for Jews facing increasing persecution in Europe. The plan was supported by some Australian politicians and public figures who saw it as an opportunity to develop the remote region and boost the local economy. However, the proposal faced significant opposition from various quarters, including concerns about sovereignty, the impact on Indigenous communities, and the feasibility of such a large-scale settlement.

Despite its promise, the Kimberley Plan never came to fruition. The Australian government, under Prime Minister John Curtin, ultimately rejected the proposal in 1944, citing concerns over national security and the potential for social disruption. The end of World War II and the subsequent establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 shifted the focus of Jewish resettlement efforts, rendering the Kimberley Plan obsolete. Nonetheless, the plan remains a captivating "what if" scenario in history, highlighting the desperate search for solutions during one of humanity's darkest times and the enduring spirit of hope and resilience.