Satisfaction with the attitude taken by the national convention of the Republican Party towards the Palestine problem was expressed here by Dr. Abba Hillel Silver, chairman of the American Zionist Emergency Council upon his return today from Chicago where he delivered the invocation at the Republican conclave. He emphasized that he hoped that the national convention of the Democratic Party “will likewise adopt a strong pro-Palestine plank.”
The text of the Republican Party plank on Palestine reads: “In order to give refuge to millions of distressed Jewish men, women and children driven from their homes by tyranny, we call for the opening of Palestine to their unrestricted immigration and land ownership, so that in accordance with the full intent and purpose of the Balfour Declaration of 1917 and the Resolution of a Republican Congress in 1922, Palestine may be constituted as a free and democratic commonwealth. We condemn the failure of the President to insist that the mandatory of Palestine carry out the provision of the Balfour Declaration and of the Mandate while he pretends to support them.”
The Republican convention also included in its platform a statement “unreservedly condemning the injection into American life of appeals to racial or religious prejudice” and pledging “the establishment by federal legislation of a permanent Fair Employment Practice Commission” to combat racial discrimination in employment.
EXPECTS EARLY FAVORABLE ACTION ON PALESTINE RESOLUTIONS BY CONGRESS
Commenting on the Republican Palestine plank, Dr. Silver said: “The clear and forthright demand for unrestricted Jewish immigration and land ownership in order that Palestine may be constituted as a free and democratic commonwealth in accordance with the full intent and purpose of Balfour Declaration is most heartening indeed. When I discussed this subject with Gov. Dewey in New York City on June 1, the Governor stated that he heartily approved of the Jewish commonwealth resolution pending in Congress and that he would do all he could to help the cause. In Chicago he made good his promise.”
Disclosing that Sen. Taft, as chairman of the Committee on Resolutions, was “extremely helpful,” Dr. Silver declared: “It is my hope that the Democratic party when it assembles for its convention in Chicago in July will likewise adopt a strong pro-Palestine plank. I believe that the political conventions will pave the way for early favorable action on the Palestine Resolutions when Congress reconvenes.”
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.
