Jewish Agency, Jewish National Council Differ on Weizmann’s Appearance Before U.N. Body

A sharp cleavage has developed between the Jewish Agency and the Jewish National Council as a result of the latter’s decision to invite Dr. Weizmann to appear before the U.N. inquiry committee, which is slated to open hearings here in about two weeks.

It is learned that the Jewish Agency has not asked Dr. Weizmann to testify. The question of what action the Agency will take on the Council’s move will be discussed at a session of the executive on June 11, which will take place even if American members of the body do not attend.

Leaders of the Council today indicated that whatever the attitude of the Jewish Agency may be, the Council is planning to compose a delegation which will be headed by Dr. Weizmann and which will speak to the inquiry committee on behalf of Palestine Jewry. At the same time, the Zionist Revisionists today sent a protest to the Council against its decision to invite Dr. Weizmann. The protest emphasized that the Jewish National Council does not represent all of Palestine Jewry since the Revisionists, the Sephardic community and the Jewish Farmers Association are not represented.

Commenting on the decision of the Council to invite Dr. Weizmann to head the Yishuv’s delegation, Haboker, organ of the General Zionists, says that “what the Jewish Labor Party is unable to do through the front door, is being done by its leaders through the back door.” Davar, Laborite organ, says that Palestine Jewry should receive the members of the inquiry committee with dignity, but should not suspend its upbuilding work for a single day.

AGENCY PREPARING MATERIAL FOR INQUIRY COMMITTEE IN VARIOUS LANGUAGES

The Jewish Agency is now working day and night to prepare voluminous material for members of the U.N. inquiry committee. Each member will receive, among other documents, a special album containing material written in his native language. However, the Agency is finding it difficult to get a Chinese translator to prepare a copy for Dr. Victor Hoo, Assistant Secretary General of the U.N., who heads the staff accompanying the inquiry committee.

Preparations are also being made in Tel Aviv to accommodate the members of the inquiry committee who are scheduled to spend three days there at the end of the month. In Jerusalem, the government today completed preparations for housing of the committee members in a new Jewish-owned hotel, the Salvia, which is situated in the modern section of the city.

IRAQ PREPARING JEWISH WITNESSES TO TESTIFY AGAINST ZIONISM

The Iraq Government is preparing Jewish witnesses to testify before the committee against Zionism, it was learned here today. The Iraq Jews will appear before the committee and describe how Zionism is menacing the position of the Jews in their country, and express their satisfaction with Arab rule.

It was reported today that the U.N. committee will be asked by the governments of Arab countries to visit their capitals and hear their rulers on the Palestine issue.