The Labor government will safeguard Jewish interests in Palestine and there is no need for any anxiety regarding the course of the government in respect to Palesaine and its development, was the statement made by Emanuel Shinwell, parliamentary secretary of the War Office in an address he delivered at the annual dinner of the Independent Order B’nai B’rith here.
The guests of the evening were Members of Parliament, Isidor Salmon, Conservative, Michael Marcus, Marion Phillips and Emanuel Shinwell, Laborites.
Mr. Shinwell emphasized in his address the Jewish desire for world peace.
Not only is there broad tolerance toward the Jewish community in this country, but also complete equality and protection, he said. Nevertheless, there are still recondite problems to be tackled, namely, Jewish immigration, changes in occupations affecting the working classes, the danger of assimilation, and educational problems which must be tackled from the Jewish standpoint. The presence of Jews in parliament is of great significance, because they are to be found among all parties, and independent of their parties, stand up for the rights of the (Continued on Page 4)
Jewish community. The speaker stated that he does not agree with those who put Judaism before their citizenship nor with those who put their citizenship before Judaism. Both should stand side by side. The Jews have made a great contribution toward the culture of the whole world, but Jewish idealism can still make a grander contribution to the progress of the races, because the Jew recognizes that there are still many racial problems to be solved. He is not unmindful of the fact that outbreaks of disputes and dissensions having an adverse effect on the Jews are still possible in certain quarters, he said.
Mr. Marcus drew attention to the danger which is threatening the Jewish community today from the Jewish youth which does not take any part in the Jewish struggles. He himself was brought up on Jewish tradition in a religious home, with Jewish knowledge which was an advantage to him in his work as Member of Parliament.
Miss Phillips said she as in favor of assimilation as against separation. It was for the first time in the last twenty-five years that she had been invited to participate in a Jewish gathering.
Mr. Salmon said that the attitude of the present government was similar to that of the late government in fairness to religious teachings.
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.
