The Zionists of Germany forwarded a plea to the British Government today asking that the “gates of Palestine” not be closed to the Jews.
A resolution adopted at the closing session last night of the first national Zionist conference since Hitler came into power appealed against immigration restrictions which the Palestine Government, under Britain, the Mandatory Power, is reported preparing.
It was emphasized in the resolution that the Jews of Germany, particularly the youths, see themselves as completely dependent on emigration. The conference asserted that thousands of trained “chalutzim,” or Palestine pioneers-in-training, and thousands of German families with capital and economic experience are awaiting the opening of Palestine’s gates.
The resolution called on the Jewish Agency for Palestine, the body recognized under the League Mandate as representing the Jews, to combat most vigorously the contemplated entry curbs.
Dr. Siegfried Moses was re-elected president of the German Zionist Federation as its twenty-fifth convention closed.
While stressing emigration to Palestine, the Zionists adopted a resolution also recognizing the necessity of migration to other countries. The resolution stated that training of the emigrants is required and orderly liquidation of their property.
The resolution added that “the solution to the Jewish problem lies, however, in migrating to Palestine and becoming rooted there.”
Another resolution recommended that if plans are completed for transferring capital of German Jews to other countries as under the Palestine plan, whereby indirectly it is withdrawn in the form of German goods, then the Jewish Agency should have control of the transfer.
Other resolutions expressed hope for the success of the British delegation headed by Sir Herbert Samuel in the United States in obtaining emigration opportunities for German Jews, asked strict enforcement of internal Zionist discipline and directed Zionist members on the boards of Jewish communities to vote as units.
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.
