Austrian Zionists in Fight over Herzlian Jewish State Idea

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

A resolution condemning the tendencies in the Zionist movement to give up the original Herzlian idea of a Jewish state in Palestine was adopted by a majority in a vote by roll call at the convention of the Zionist Federation of Austria in session here.

The motion was introduced by Robert Stricker, well known Austrian Zionist leader, in a lengthy debate which developed on the theme of the Herzlian Jewish state. Four-fifths of the delegates to the convention, including the “old guard” voted for the resolution; one-fifth, including the delegates of the Hitachduth, voted against it.

The resolution also criticized the propaganda against the Jewish state idea carried on by several groups of the Zionist Organization. The same proportion in the voting was manifest when a resolution expressing confidence in the leadership of Dr. Weizmann was accepted. The “old guard” was divided on the matter. The Zionist Revisionists at the convention submitted a declaration of their own. Herr Stricker and Herr Waldmann severely criticized the Zionist Executive for its failure to emphasize the Jewish state as the aim of the Zionist movement in Palestine.

Dr. Felix Rosenblueth speaking on behalf of the Zionist Executive expressed himself against the Jewish state conception, stating that this conception is unattainable and pointing to the fact that Wolfson, who was Dr. Herzl’s immediate successor, had already abandoned this conception. “The Zionist Executive aims at creating within our generation the foundation for the Jewish national home for which it is necessary to have the amount of £1,500,000 annually in order to develope agriculture and industry in the country,” he stated.