The need “to wage a public, outright and all-embracing struggle against the imposition of the emigration tax by Soviet Russia” was endorsed by the Executive of the World Zionist Organization meeting here yesterday. It followed a recommendation by Louis A. Pincus, chairman of the WZO Executive and the Jewish Agency Executive.
On Oct. 2, a statement made by Pincus at a meeting in Jerusalem of the Prisoners of Zion Conference that the Jews should “bless” President Nixon for what he is doing diplomatically for Soviet Jews, was incorrectly interpreted by some that he was against a forceful and open campaign by the Jews of the world in behalf of Soviet Jewry and against the ransom tax now being levied on Jews emigrating from Russia.
The full text of the statement adopted by the World Zionist Executive was: “On Sept. 4 the representatives of the Jewish communities throughout the world at a special convention held in London, took it upon themselves to undertake an all-out struggle against the emigration tax. It was unanimously decided that in this campaign it was to be made clear that the tax would impair the efforts to cement cultural, economic and political ties with the USSR.
“The London conference also decided to appeal to all governments, organizations, academic bodies and leading personalities throughout the world to raise their voice in protest against this tax and to do everything in their power to bring about its abrogation. The representatives of the Jewish people decided not to rest until the law was annulled.
“It should be noted that thousands of scientists, artists, public figures and man of renown throughout the world have answered the call and in cables, letters, petitions, International conferences, have protested against this Russian law.
“All political efforts and diplomatic actions taken must, of course, be welcomed and fully appreciated. But nothing that has happened since the London conference, no political action taken or promises given, can take the place of this public and all-out struggle against the Russian emigration tax, nor free the Jewish people of its duty to wage this all-out struggle. The lines of action decided upon by the London conference are still binding and must be assiduously continued and even stepped up.
“The struggle is likely to be both difficult and prolonged. We shall face it with unrelenting effort and with unity, until this law is annulled and the free and unhindered aliya of Russian Jewry to Israel is approved and secured.”
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.
