News Brief

The British administration of Palestine, under the terms of the Mandate of the League of Nations, imposing upon it to create such political and economic conditions in the country as will further the establishment of the Jewish National Home there, was charged with continuing its “passive attitude’ ‘toward the needs and the development of the Jewish National Home, in a resolution unanimously adopted at the Sixteenth Biennial Zionist Congress, which concluded its sessions here early Sunday morning.

Examining the report of the Zionist Executive, it becomes obvious, the resolution states, that the Palestine government has fulfilled but a few of the demands expressed by the Fifteenth Zionist Congress, which met two years ago in Basle. The resolution expresses the view that the London authorities have a favorable attitude toward the development of the Jewish National Home in Palestine but much of this goodwill and willingness to cooperate is lost on the way from London to Jerusalem. The Palestine authorities, the resolution charges, have committed acts which are expressly contrary to the most vital interests of the Jewish population in Palestine and have permitted occurrences which offended the dignity of the Jews of Palestine, causing grief and sorrow to the sixteen million Jews throughout the world.

The resolution made reference to the infringement of the Jewish right of undisturbed worship at the Western Wall of the Temple, commonly known as the Wailing Wall. Senator Ringel, the chairman of the committee on resolutions, reported that the delegation of the Zionist Congress which proceeded to London on this matter sought a temporary measure to remove the present difficulties, but gained no definite assurance that the Mandatory Power will take steps to prevent the violation of the age-old Jewish sacred rights at the Temple remnant. Millions of Jews throughout the world expect such an assurance, he said.

THE RESOLUTION OF PROTEST AGAINST RUSSIA AND YEMEN

The resolution of protest against the persecution of Zionists and the Jewish religion in Soviet Russia and in Yemen was couched in strong terms and declared that the dark Middle Ages still exist in the Central Arabian country, where the Jewish population is the victim of a fierce Moslem religious fanaticism, which does not tolerate Jews, subjects them to brutal mistreatment and does not permit them to leave the country.

Concerning Soviet Russia, the resolution declared that in that country “we are witnessing a refined cruelty modelled after the Spanish Inquisition” against Zionists and the Jewish religion.

“Hearing the outcry of our brethren in Soviet Russia, we solemnly protest against the wild and brutal campaign against Zionism, the Hebrew language and culture, as well as against the persecutions of the Jewish religion in Soviet Russia.”

EXPECT CHANGE OF ATTITUDE WHEN NEW JEWISH AGENCY FUNCTIONS

A special paragraph in the political resolution referred to the forthcoming formation of the extended Jewish Agency to include non-Zionists as well as Zionists. It expressed the hope that when the new Jewish Agency will be formed, the administration of Palestine will seek the advice and cooperation of the Jewish Agency as provided for in the terms of the Palestine Mandate, in all matters affecting the Jewish National Home. The resolution recited the complaints of the Palestine Jewish population against the Palestine government. The government had enacted unjustifiable limitations of immigration, has not given due consideration to the legitimate interests of the Jewish population in the apportionment of the budget, although a great measure of the country’s income is derived from the Jewish population. The government has not fulfilled the provision of the Mandate calling for the allocation of state and waste lands for Jewish settlement and has proceeded but slowly in adjusting the tariff questions to the needs of the local industries.

DECIDE TO CREATE DEPARTMENT FOR HEBREW CULTURE

A great part of the all-night session was devoted to a discussion of cultural and education problems. A proposal championed by Isaac Gruenbaum for the creation of a “Tarbuth” department, department for Hebrew culture, called forth the opposition of the Mizrachists and a part of the Left wing, who objected to it because of their attitude to Yiddish in the Diaspora countries. The Executive, too, through Dr. Hantke, recommended that the matter be referred to the Zionist General Council, but the question was taken to a vote and the creation of such a department decided upon.

Plans are being drawn to remodel a church building in Washington, D. C., after which it is to be occupied by the Congregation Talmud Torah B’nai Israel.

The congregation purchased the property from the Hamline Church.

According to Hyman Klavans, president of the congregation, the improved building will be worth approximately $150,000.