Basic conflicts within the Zionist movement were highlighted this week-end at the World Zionist Congress in a dramatic debate between Dr. Abba Hillel Silver and Israel’s Labor Minister Mrs. Golda Myerson. Dr. Silver voiced strong criticism of the Israel Government and the manner in which it handles its relations with, the Zionist movement, but concluded with an appeal for unity. Mrs. Myerson defended the record of the Israel Government.
Declaring that the Israel Government would have to face mounting criticism, Dr. Silver said: “Friends of Israel will be more critical and I counsel you to take it in good grace. “Do not resent it. This criticism will be due to the fact that they hope Israel is to be great in moral excellence and in every other respect and when they see party strife, dangerous schismatic education and gross irregularities in the Congress elections, they feel let down.
“You, on the other hand, have the right to speak to us for our failure in halutziot because we have failed,” Dr. Silver continued. “You may criticize our impatience. Both sides, you and we, should welcome frankness.” Let us work as one people and we shall be invincible in the face of difficulties. Jewry is waiting to give you the support to which you are entitled. We will also give you, as a united movement, manpower and youth.”
He praised the Israel Government “of which we are proud” and to which he said all Jews had contributed, and added that much remained to be corrected and rectified, as was inevitable. He warned, however, that should Jews overseas begin to feel that Israel flouts them completely, “they might cease to help you and there will be nothing you can do about it.”
He attacked the demand for “unconditional cooperation” of the Zionists movement with the State of Israel proposed in connection with the special charter sought by the movement in Israel and Commented that the term unconditional is used towards enemies, not allies. He criticized the “Socialism in our time” slogan since, he said, no such legislation was intended and the government in any case, was working towards a reasonable solution of its economic problems. From the long-range view, be said, it was obvious that Israel would have a mixed economy.
MRS. MYERSON ASKS WHY U.S. ZIONIST LEADERS DON’T SETTLE IN ISRAEL
In a sharp reply, Mrs. Myerson, who accused Dr. Silver of “insulting” the Israel Government, Issued a blanket invitation to all delegates to remain in the country after the Congress ends and see for themselves how Jewish national interests are guarded by the Government. She also referred to a “romance between Silver and the Mapam,” the pro-Soviet left Socialist party in Israel.
In a scathing counterattack, Mrs. Myerson demanded to know what Zionist leaders in America had done to refute the libels that the Israel Government was preventing private capital and foreign investors from participating in Israel’s upbuilding. She asked whether some of these same leaders had not helped fan “the fires of allegation.”
The Israelis, she insisted, are always ready to listen to advice, although, understandably, they are not always willing to accept it. Claiming that in 1939 Dr. Silver opposed illegal immigration to Palestine and a straining of relations with Britain over its White Paper restricting Jewish emigration to Palestine, she said: “If he was wrong once, he may be wrong again.”
Finally, she said that if American Zionist leaders had come to Israel and settled there after the state was established, it would have been “an inspiring example” of immigration for American Jewish youth, “Israel will yet see a mass migration from the free countries,” she predicted, “because Jews will not be able to resist the temptation to participate in the upbuilding of the state.”
BROWDY DENOUNCES ATTACKS ON AMERICAN ZIONIST ORGANIZATION
Benjamin G. Browdy, president of the Zionist Organization of America, denounced attacks made in the general debate at the World Zionist Congress on the American Organization. “We shall not permit calumny, particularly the assertion that we are reactionary,” he said. “Fifty-four years of Z.O.A. endeavors repudiate this allegation.” He told the Congress that “we are prepared to work unconditionally, but not at the expense of our self-respect.”
Ezra Shapiro, of Cleveland, a Progressive, speaking in the General debate, said his group was not identified with any Israeli party and “when we mean non-intervention, we mean just that–absolute non-intervention in Israel’s internal and external affairs.” In an apparent reference to statements last night by Dr. Abba Hillel Silver, who warned that American Jews might “cool off” towards Israel if they disapproved of Israeli policies, Shapiro declared: “American Jews have shown a deep love and affection for Israel and this continues.” He declared that non-Zionists could not be turned away or regarded as inferior and added that once they show they are ready to help Israel, “we must be ready to receive their support,”
Baruch Zuckerman, member of the American section of the Jewish Agency executive, denied that control of Israel funds was in non-Zionist hands. He said non-Zionists helped raise funds which were finally disposed of through the Jewish Agency.
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.
