Ask Zionists to Rescind 3-year Trial Period Reservation for Partnership with Non-zionists

The Sixteenth Zionist Congress in session assembled here was formally asked by the Zionist World Executive to rescind the last reservation standing in the way of the final consummation of the extension of the Jewish Agency for Palestine to include Zionists and non-Zionists. The reservation, contained in a resolution adopted by the Fourteenth Zionist Congress, provided that the partnership between the Zionists and the non-Zionists be concluded for a trial period of three years. This reservation would be withdrawn if the Congress adopted the draft constitution for the Jewish Agency submitted by the Zionist Executive after consultation with the leaders of the American non-Zionist group.

An official statement by the British Government was read to the effect that His Majesty’s Government would again recognize the Zionist Organization as the Jewish Agency in case the contemplated larger Jewish Agency will be dissolved.

This recommendation was contained in the report of Felix Rosenblueth, member of the Zionist Executive. Speaking at the Monday afternoon session, under the chairmanship of Dr. Leo Motzkin, Mr. Rosenblueth recited the history of the negotiations for the extension of the Jewish Agency during the past six years. Three Zionist Congresses have authorized the Zionist Executive to extend the Agency by inviting the cooperation of such Jewish organizations and societies as are in agreement with the provisions of the Palestine Mandate. Now this plan is to be put into effect at a conference to be held in Zurich on August 11, when the Council of the Jewish Agency is to be constituted. The Executive therefore asks the Zionist Congress to give it authorization to place its signature to the agreement. When the agreement will go into force, the Executive is to be authorized to ask the British Government, in the name of the Zionist Organization, to recognize the extended Jewish Agency as the Jewish Agency provided for in Article IV of the Palestine Mandate. The British Government would then give its assurance to the Zionist Organization that in case the larger body should be dissolved it will again recognize the organization as the only Jewish Agency, to which all rights and prerogatives revert.

Asking the Congress to appoint a special committee to deal with this question, Mr. Rosenblueth, in behalf of the Zionist Executive, submitted the following resolution:

“The Sixteenth Zionist Congress takes note with satisfaction of the universal sympathetic attitude which accompanied the proposals for the extension of the Jewish Agency and expresses its special thanks to those who have, together with the Zionist Executive, taken the initiative in this matter. The Sixteenth Zionist Congress views the extension of the Jewish Agency as a guarantee for fruitful cooperation between all Jews who are willing to participate in the rebuilding of Palestine as well as in the reconstruction of the Jewish National Home. The Zionist Congress heartily greets the representatives of the Jewish communities in various parts of the world who are to attend the constitution conference of the Jewish Agency Council together with the representatives of the Zionist Organization.

BRITISH ASSURANCE, OFFICIAL DOCUMENT

The official document of the British Government, submitted to the Congress by Mr. Rosenblueth, read as follows:

“10 Downing Street,

22 July, 1929,

Undersecretary of State,

Colonial Office,

London, S. W. 1.

“Secretary,

Zionist Organization,

77 Great Russell Street,

London, S. W. 1.

“Sir:

“I am directed by Lord Passfield to refer to the interview Mr. Stein and Dr. Brodetzky had at the Colonial Office on the Sixteenth of April at which the question of the establishment of a large Jewish Agency was discussed. At that interview it was intimated that the Zionist Organization would be glad to have an assurance that in the event of a dissolution of the proposed large Agency, the latter’s function would revert to themselves. The question has been carefully considered in consultation with the High Commissioner of Palestine and the Foreign Office and I state that His Majesty’s Government are prepared to give the Zionist Organization an assurance in the following terms:

“In the event of the dissolution of the enlarged Agency, His Majesty’s Government, on being notified by the Zionist Organization that the enlarged Agency has been dissolved, will, provided that they are satisfied that its organization and constitution are at that time appropriate, recognize the Zionist Organization as the Jewish Agency for the purpose of Article IV of the Mandate for Palestine, and the organization shall, in that event, be deemed to have reverted in all respects to the status which it possessed before the enlargement of the Agency.

“To explain that proviso, it has been inserted in the above formula, in view of the terms of Article IV of the Palestine Mandate, providing that the Zionist Organization be recognized as the Jewish Agency, provided for in the first paragraph of Article IV, ‘so long as its organization and constitution are, in the opinion of the Mandatory, appropriate.’

“I am further to point out:

“(1) That this assurance is subject to the Secretary of State being satisfied that the dissolution clause in the constitution of the enlarged Agency clearly defines the circumstances and conditions which the Agency will be regarded as having been dissolved, and

“(2) That the assurance can not be regarded as having any force unless and until a scheme for an enlarged Jewish Agency, ratified by the Zionist Congress, has been formally accepted by His Majesty’s Government as having regard to the provisions of Article IV of the Mandate.

“I am, sir, your obedient servant

O. G. R. Williams.”

AMERICAN NON-ZIONISTS WILL NOT AGREE TO TRIAL AGENCY

The Zionist delegates were asked to make clear their stand on the point of the provisional or permanent character of the extended Jewish Agency, when Mr. Rosenblueth said: “Leaders of the American non-Zionist group are under any circumstances unwilling to accept a trial agency.” They argue that it would be impossible for them to take up the work for the common cause with full energy, conviction and friendship if the provisional character of the new body is insisted upon. “Marriages are subject to divorce, but the underlying principle of each marriage is the belief in its permanency; no one wishes to enter a companionate marriage,” he said, explaining that it was for this reason that Louis Marshall proposed the formula of the status quo ante, that is, that in case of a dissolution of the enlarged Jewish Agency at any time, after three or after five years, the rights and privileges held by the Jewish Agency, are to revert to the Zionist Organization. It was for this purpose that the assurance of the British Government of possible renewed recognition was secured. The Zionist General Council, as well as the Zionist Executive, have accepted this formula in the expectation that the plenary session of the Congress will give it its support.

AGENCY CONSTITUTION OUTLINED

The spokesman for the Zionist Executive then outlined the main features of the constitution draft. The president of the World Zionist Organization must always remain the president of the Council of the Jewish Agency. There is no possibility of a change occurring against the will of the Zionist Organization as the election of another candidate for this post would require a three-fourths majority in a body composed of fifty per cent Zionists and fifty per cent non-Zionists. The president of the Council of the Jewish Agency is responsible for its policies. The Council is to consist of 220 members and the first meeting of the Council will be at-

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tended, not as was expected by 50 non-Zionists from at least six countries, but by 101 non-Zionist representatives from 23 countries. Forty per cent of the non-Zionist membership was allotted to the American non-Zionists. The fifty-fifty principle was incorporated into the constitution, according to which a non-Zionist is one who is not affiliated with the Zionist Organization or with any of its subsidiary bodies. The constitution provides for the holding of democratic election of delegates wherever possible.

The question of vote by proxy was settled in the following manner: temporary alternates are not permitted. Alternates must be chosen on a permanent basis, wherever possible in a manner similar to the delegates proper. The Zionist Executive has also secured the consent of the American non-Zionists for only a limited application of the proxy system, granting the Americans the only concession that delegates from countries overseas may cast their vote by proxy within a limited number of votes.

MANNER OF AGENCY DISSOLUTION AND EXECUTIVE COMPOSITION STILL OPEN

Two points in the constitution of the Council of the Jewish Agency are still open and the final agreement on them is expected to be reached at the session of the Jewish Agency Council in Zurich on August 11, Mr. Rosenblueth stated. They concern the manner of the possible dissolution of the enlarged Jewish Agency and the method of composing the executive which is to be in charge of the affairs of the Agency. These two matters will have to be decided upon for the Zionists by the special Congress committee on the Jewish Agency.

According to the constitution draft, the enlarged Jewish Agency may be dissolved by a vote of two-thirds of the members of its Council or if a similar majority indicates its will for dissolution by a statement of their “desinteressement” (disinterestedness). The Zionist Executive holds, however, that the question of the manner of dissolution is but of an academic character since it believes that an alliance entered into by Jews for the sake of Palestine will not be dissolved. As to the question of the method of choosing the Executive, a final understanding has not yet been reached. According to the constitution draft the Executive is to be chosen at the session of the Jewish Agency Council. The Zionists, however, wish that a half of the number of those who are to compose the Executive be chosen by the Zionist Organization. Others are of the opinion that the entire Executive is to be chosen by the joint action of the Agency Council. At any rate, there is an understanding that the Zionist proposal, that is, the Zionist Organization choosing half the Executive members, be followed this year when the first Agency Executive is selected.

According to the draft constitution the enlarged Jewish Agency is to fulfill all the functions carried out by the previous Jewish Agency through three organs, a Council, an administrative committee, and an Executive. The Council being the supreme body, corresponding to the Zionist Congress, is to meet once in two years; the administrative committee, corresponding to the Zionist General Council, is to meet twice annually; the Executive is to conduct the current affairs. The administrative committee is to be elected by the Council of the Jewish Agency, wherein the Zionists choose the Zionist members of the administrative committee and the non-Zionists, the non-Zionist members.

J. N. F. TO BE INDEPENDENT OF AGENCY

The Keren Hayesod, the Palestine Foundation Fund, the fund raising agency employed by the Zionist Organization, is to become the organ of the enlarged Jewish Agency for raising the Palestine budget. The Jewish National Fund, the Zionist land purchasing agency, is to be independent of the Jewish Agency. Their only point of contact is to be in case of the enlarged Jewish Agency purchasing land areas for Jewish settlement in Palestine. The deeds for this land are to be in the name of the Jewish National Fund, holding the land as the inalienable property of the Jewish people and leasing it to settlers on a 99 year basis.

An amendment to the constitution of the Jewish Agency may be enacted by a majority of two-thirds of the Council, while an amendment to the clause providing for the Zionist president to be the president of the Jewish Agency requires a three-fourths majority.

The spokesman for the Zionist Executive then described the progress of the negotiations with the non-Zionists and stated that the difficulties encountered were not the result of divergent interests. A genuine and sincere desire to further the upbuilding of Palestine and a readiness for joint work were manifested by the non-Zionists during the entire time of the negotiations. The difficulties lay in finding harmony and adjustment between the divergent methods of work and organizational traditions. The solution of such problems were not always easy, but the result is a good reward for the effort and the Zionist Executive could with confidence in success and a feeling of joy issue the call for constitution meeting of the Jewish Agency.

Under the leadership of the president of the Zionist Organization a body will be created undertaking the upbuilding of the Jewish National Home in the spirit of the Balfour Declaration and the Mandate. This body will seek to accomplish fundamental, practical work in accordance with Zionist principles. “Let the Congress adopt this decision, we are confident that future generations will bless it,” he said.