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Resignation of Israeli Cabinet Members from Jewish Agency Executive is Demanded

August 22, 1948
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The resignation from the Jewish Agency executive of these who are now members of the Israeli cabinet was demanded here today by Dr. Abba Hillel Silver, Prof. Selig Brodetsky, Dr. Emmanuel, Neumann Dr. Igancy Schwarzharb and others at the first meeting of the newly-elected executive of the World Confederation of General Zionists.

All speakers emphasized that the World Zionist Organization will not be able to carry out its work efficiently, if members of the Israeli Government retain their seats on the Jewish Agency executive. Suck a situation would sooner or later lead to a crisis, they argued. It would also lead to the weakening of part of the Zionists abroad with regard to helping in the development of the Jewish State and would limit the activities of the World Zionist Organization to that of a philanthropic movement, they pointed out.

Dr. Neumann declared that he is prepared to resign from the executive if no radical change is introduced in the constitution of the Jewish Agency, or if the Agency continues its work under the dominant influence of the Israeli Government. A clear distinction between the State of Israel and the World Zionist Organization was also favored at the meeting by Dr. Fritz Bernstein, member of the Israeli Cabinet, who is also a member of the executive of the Jewish Agency, of which the World Zionist Organization is the leading force.

definite division between the Israeli Cabinet and the Jewish Agency executive would eliminate from the latter not only Dr. Bernstein, but also David Ben Gurion, Moshe Shertok, Eliezer Kaplan, Dr. Isaac Gruenbaum and others who are members of the cabinet. It is understood that some members of the cabinet are against the taking of such a step.

AMERICAN JEWS ARE TOLD OF “GREAT P BY J.N.F. FOR ISRAEL’S DEVELOPMENT

Judge Morris Rothenberg, president of the Jewish National Fund of America, today cabled a message of greetings from here to the Jews in the United States, in which he lauded the achievements of the Israeli Government. “Israel is being built on firm foundations and its future is assured,” the message said, “It is a thrilling experience to witness the emergence of the sovereign state of Israel which is equipped with full powers for successfully maintaining its place among the nations. The spirit of the people is very high and confidence in the future is unbounded.

“During our journey from Haifa down the Sharon Plain, we saw evidence of the vital part which the acquisition by the Jewish National Fund of strategic land areas has played in our people’s battle for freedom. The acquisition of these lands foiled the enemy’s attempt to split the Jewish state between Haifa and Tel Aviv. Other areas similarly secured by the J.N.F. formed the base for Israel’s defensive operations.

“The progress that has been made in every branch of development since my last visit to Palestine is beyond description and is visible on all sides, from the obvious growth of the population in the cities and the expansion of the agricultural settlements to the public services which have been organized during the war, and which are being carried on so expertly by the new State. American Jewish pioneers are taking a distinguished part both in the development of the land, in the growth of the cities and in the security forces. The J.N.F. under the leadership of Dr. Abraham Granovsky, has great plans for future agricultural and urban developments in the state of Israel,” Judge Rothenberg concluded.

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