What is regarded as the most important outcome to date of the Non-Zionist Conference held on October 21 in New York City is the announcement made by Judge William M. Lewis, National Chairman of the United Palestine Appeal, that Felix Warburg, member of the Joint Palestine Survey Commission, and outstanding non-Zionist leader, who took a prominent part in the proceedings of the non-Zionist Conference, will be present at the National Conference on Palestine, to be held under the auspices of the United Palestine Appeal on Saturday evening, November 10 and Sunday, November 11 at the Hotel Statler in the city of Boston. Judge Lewis’ announcement followed upon a meeting between Mr. Warburg and a delegation of national leaders of the United Palestine Appeal. The news that Mr. Warburg had accepted the invitation of the delegation to attend and address the United Palestine Appeal Conference was hailed with enthusiasm in Zionist circles.
In making public the fact that Mr. Warburg would attend the Boston meeting, Judge Lewis emphasized the importance of the philanthropist’s presence at the Conference, as indicating the desire of the Non-Zionist group to afliliate with the effort for promoting the work of upbuilding Palestine. In his announcement, Judge Lewis said:
“It is a privilege to announce, on behalf of the United Palestine Appeal leaders who waited upon him, that Mr. Felix Warburg has accepted our invitation to be present at the United Palestine Appeal conference to be held in Boston on Saturday evening, November 10 and Sunday, November 11. All those interested in the rebuilding of Palestine will be glad to note that Mr. Warburg will lend his prestige to the united fund-raising agency for Palestine.
“Mr. Warburg’s warm interest in the reconstruction of Palestine has long been known, and he has proved it on numerous occasions. For a number of reasons, the United Palestine Appeal has never had the opportunity of having Mr. Warburg attend any of its national gatherings. His willingness to be present at Boston must be attributed to the successful results of the Non-Zionist conference held in New York last week.
“The United Palestine Appeal Conference in Boston will be the first opportunity for American Jewry to display to the world its unity on the subject of Palestine. Zionists and non-Zionists are being invited equally to attend the important sessions of the Conference. Because of the numerous problems affecting the future of Palestine that will be considered at Boston it is exceedingly important that every Jew and Jewess concerned with the development of the Jewish Homeland should add the benefit of his or her experience and counsel to the proceedings. I am certian that Mr. Warburg will show the way to an overwhelmingly successful meeting in Boston which will inaugurate a period of greater activity for Palestine among American Jews.”
The news that Mr. Warburg would attend the Boston conference came as a complete surprise to Zionists in New York. This will be the first time since the United Palestine Appeal was founded four years ago that Mr. Warburg will take part in any of its gatherings. Though Mr. Warburg has made large contributions to a number of Palestinian enterprises on various accasions, he has never affiliated himself with the official Zionist fund-raising agencies, except that he gave $50,000 last year to the United Palestine Appeal, for the relief of unemployment in Palestine.
It is expected in Zionist circles that other non-Zionists will follow Mr. Warburg’s example. National headquarters of the United Palestine Appeal report that the attendance at the Boston Conference, as indicated by acceptances of the invitation, will be the largest in the history of national gatherings sponsored by the organization.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
