Actions Committee Told Not to Expect Immigration of U.S. Jews

American Zionist leaders today told the Zionist Actions Committee not to lay much hope on immigration of Jews from the United States to Israel. Mrs. Rose Halprin, member of the Jewish Agency executive, and Judge Louis Levinthal, former president of the Zionist Organization of America, especially stressed this point during the general debate.

Mrs. Halprin challenged the clamor in Israel for immigration of American Jews. “If 5, 000 American Jews landed in Haifa today, you would not be able to deal with them,” she said. American Jews would come to Israel only when “proper preparations both here and in the United States” were arranged. Judge Levinthal also rejected the hopes of some delegates “who expect a hundred thousand Jews from the United States.” However he cited recent research showing that 90 per cent of American Jews unreservedly support maximum aid for Israel.

Mrs. Halprin said she supported the proposal of Dr. Nahum Goldmann, president of the World Zionist Organization, to broaden the base of the Jewish Agency “even if this would lead to a watered-down version of Zionism.” This, she said, she suggested “not out of enthusiasm but because there is no alternative plan” before the meeting.

She added that “at any rate,” Dr. Goldmann’s proposal may have strengthened the movement or have led in the direction of a broad pro-Israel movement. Dr. J. B. Schechtman, American Revisionist Zionist leader, also supported Dr. Goldmann’s plan to set up an advisory council at the Jewish Agency but said the Council’s prerogatives should not include the political field.

Dr. Emanuel Neumann said that while the Confederation of General Zionists which he heads supports Dr. Goldmann’s plan, the “failure” of the Zionist movement is not the outcome of organizational faults. He appealed to Dr. Goldmann to devote time and effort to encourage the various Zionist organizations, asserting there was still plenty of vigor in the Zionist movement.

Dr. Miriam Freund, president of Hadassah, called the Presidents’ Club one of the “magnificent contributions” made by Dr. Goldmann. She added it was “our job to prove that one can be a good American and a good Jew and a good Zionist at the same time. Mrs. Chaya Surchin, president of the American Pioneer Women, proposed that the “Presidents’ Club” in the United States, in which 176 national Jewish organizations cooperate, should become a permanent advisory council for the Jewish Agency.

Rabbi Mordecai Kirshblum, American member of the Agency executive, criticized those who took a pessimistic view of the Zionist future and added that “the dark out-look” could be changed by intensive religious education “inspired by a profound Jewish consciousness.” Asserting there was “a difference between a state of Jews and a Jewish State,” the Orthodox Zionist leader said that the Zionist movement relied on “loyal members who will not turn back on the road.” Citing Dr. Goldmann’s theme of welcoming new groups to the Zionist movement, Rabbi Kirshblum said that the movement “must not turn its back on parties and organizations which have done Zionist work for decades.”

IMPORTANCE OF MIDDLE CLASS SETTLEMENT IN ISRAEL STRESSED

The importance of middle class settlement in Israel is not sufficiently appreciated, the Jewish Agency Economic Department reported to the Actions Committee. Hundreds of such immigrants arrived during 1958 from many countries and many of them settled on the land or invested in farm enterprises. Others by their investments provided livelihoods not only for themselves but also for immigrants lacking capital, the report stated.

The Department asserted that the Israel Treasury cancellation of premiums for foreign exchange brought in by immigrants had delayed the arrival of “hundreds of other Middle class immigrants” and that while the Agency had decided to continue a special grant for such foreign exchange, “this does not constitute a satisfactory solution.” The Department urged the Government to resume premium allowances.

The Department said that in the period reviewed, it had transferred more than $1, 000, 000 via clearance agreements for persons seeking to bring capital to Israel. Some $5, 000, 000 in various types of aid had been provided middle class immigrants to help in their economic absorption, the Economic Department said.

There are now 13, 200 Youth Aliyah children residing in 258 absorption centers which are about equally divided into non-religious and religious categories, according to a report submitted today at the Zionist Actions Committee meeting. The report disclosed that between January and March of this year, 40 per cent of the children came from Eastern Europe, compared with 26 per cent accepted during 1958 when 350 children came without parents.