Unanimous gratification at the setting aside Friday by the Palestine Court of Appeals of the conviction of murder against Abraham Stavsky was expressed by Zionist and Jewish communal leaders of the metropolitan area when they were asked by the Jewish Daily Bulletin for their reaction to the news flashed from Jerusalem. Some representative opinions voiced by these personages are as follows:
Morris Rothenberg, President, the Zionist Organization of America: The news of Stavsky’s acquittal is most gratifying. It ends the grave doubt which was left in the minds of many as to the correctness of the conclusion of the trial court, and it removed the stain of guilt of the foul murder of Dr. Arlosoroff from the hands of a Jew. The decision of the Court of Appeals is another evidence of the fairness and high-mindedness of British courts of justice.
Elias Ginsburg, Chairman of the Central Executive Committee of the Zionist-Revisionist Organization of America: We are, of course, happy that an innocent man has been acquitted and that the sinister shadow of the gallows that loomed over him threatening Zionism and the future of the Jews in Palestine has been removed.
The labored motivation of the Palestine Court of Appeals must be interpreted as an effort to save the prestige of the lower court whose unjust verdict would have left an indelible blot on Palestine justice and administration. However, the labored opinion of the chief justice will misguide no one. Jewry knows that Stavsky is innocent before Man and God. The Revisionist Organization will, as in the past, continue to fight in every legal way the anti-Jewish and anti-Zionist policies of the Palestine government.
The ignoble stand of the Histadruth of the last few weeks in opposing the noble efforts of Rabbi Kook and the finest men of the Yishub on behalf of the innocent Stavsky has greatly aided the Palestine government in its stand.
David Wertheim, General Secretary of the Poale Zion-Zeire Zion: We consider the Stavsky case closed. We are against capital punishment and opposed the verdict of the lower court. But the Revisionist propaganda which fostered the spirit making possible such a murder should be brought to an end. We hope the mystery of the Arlosoroff murder will be solved.
Dr. S. Margoshes, Editor, The Day: We are all very happy and I think that this is the close of what was probably the most tragic chapter in the history of the Jewish National Home. I hope that the party strife which has given rise to this case will be attenuated.
Morris Margulies, Chairman, Executive Committee of the New York Zionist Region: The freeing of Stavsky is a great step toward removing the bitterness which has been such a bane to the Zionist movement in Palestine. It is my earnest hope that the settlement of the case will mark the turning-point toward a condition of greater general harmony among the parties in the interests of our common cause.
Bernard S. Deutsch, president of the American Jewish Congress: The acquittal of Stavsky by the higher court will be received with relief by the entire Jewish world. This murder of Dr. Arlosoroff and the suspected guilt of fellow Jews have exacerbated the Jewish inter-group relations to an extent deeply harmful to Jewish interests. It is to be hoped that the Stavsky acquittal will have the effect of clearing the atmosphere and making possible that unity of purpose and action which the Jewish crisis demands.
Rabbi Jacob Levinson, first vice-president of the Mizrachi Zionist Organization: Last Wednesday I issued on behalf of Mizrachi an appeal to our members to support the Stavsky Defense Fund, and used every moral force so that this innocent victim be freed.
When the happy news of the acquittal was received I exclaimed, “Thanks and praise to Almighty God, the Lord of Justice and Righteousness for directing the judges in the right path.
A vote of thanks is due Rabbi Kook for his courageous work in defending Stavsky.
Robert Szold, vice-president of the Zionist Organization of America: Now that Stavsky has been acquitted, let us proceed with the constructive work of building up Palestine.
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