Some excitement was caused at this morning’s session of the Actions Committee, when several members of the General Council brought attention to the new immigration ordinance of the Palestine government as published by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
An interpellation was submitted and criticism aroused by the statement of Dr. Chaim Arlosoroff, member of the Zionist Executive in Palestine, who said that he was aware of the pending publication of the ordinance prior to his departure from Palestine.
George Halpern, general Zionist of London, and Robert Stricker, Revisionist of Vienna, were particularly outspoken in their criticism of Dr. Arlosoroff’s failure to bring this matter to the attention of the Actions Committee.
The ordinance, according to the information received by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, is designed to make stricter existing immigration and deportation regulations. Dr. Arlosoroff explained, however, that the ordinance merely codifies the practice of checking immigrants. He expressed doubt that immigration will be curtailed. The creation of a new capitalist immigration category will be welcomed by all, he said.
Referring to unrestricted immigration from Transjordania which the new ordinance leaves untouched, Dr. Arlosoroff said it was inconsistent to protest that no immigration barrier exists between Palestine and Transjordania at a time when the demand is made that these two lands be regarded as one country.
The interpellators at this point objected and labelled the explanation as an attempt to whitewash an unsatisfactory government act.
The Executive is expected to make a formal reply to objections.
Dr. Arthur Ruppin, Jewish colonization expert, outlined his colonization plan at this morning’s session and was followed by S. Soskin, Revisionist representative, who offered a counter plan.
Robert Stricker, Revisionist of Vienna, in a lengthy address, pointed to the need of amalgamating the work of Emanuel Neumann of New York and H. Farbstein, of Poland, both members of the Zionist Executive, working in the economic field. There is not much difference between them, Mr. Stricker said. He recommended that Mr. Neumann be assigned to cooperate with Dr. Arlosoroff in the political work in Palestine that the time income of the Palestine Foundation Fund this year was reduced to £210,000 and that no larger income may be awaited next year.
Emanuel Neumann described the great strides made in Palestine development and stated that the prospects for the future are distinctly encouraging, particularly when the Haifa Harbor and the Mosul oil pipe lines will have been completed. Within five years, the orange production will be trebled, Mr. Neumann predicted.
The American member of the World Zionist Executive recommended the establishment of a new department for an extensive campaign to impress wide circles with the attractiveness of Palestine as a place to live in and to invest in. He also asked for the establishment of Economic Committees in the Diaspora.
The trickle of American Jews toward Palestine is now broadening into a stream, Mr. Neumann said. Last year hundreds of Jews went to Palestine and several thousand are behind them. The capital thus mobilized for Palestine amounts to millions of dollars.
Mr. Farbstein dealt with middle class colonization.
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.
