The Palestine Jewish Colonization Association, PICA, founded by Baron Edmond de Rothschild 75 years ago, will wind up its activities in Israel, give ownership of its land holdings to Israel national institutions and contribute its six million pounds ($3,333,000) in cash assets to a fund to erect a new home for the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament.
This decision was taken by the late Baron James de Rothschild some time before his death in England earlier this year and was communicated to Premier David Ben Gurion by a letter posthumously delivered. Mr. Ben Gurion informed Parliament of the news at its session last night.
Baron de Rothschild, who was president of PICA, recalled in his letter the founding of the first Rothschild settlements in Palestine and the subsequent role of PICA. The establishment of the State of Israel, he said, had taken over the main task of settlement on the land which had been PICA’s objective.
“Having deliberated about these problems, “he wrote Mr. Ben Gurion, “I reached the conclusion that PICA’s activities should be completed to avoid duplication with the work which is now being done on a grander scale by the national institutions.” In explanation of his decision to use the funds of PICA to erect a new home for the Parliament, Baron de Rothschild said: “The Knesset building should symbolize for the entire world the State of Israel’s external existence.”
The famed Anglo-Jewish leader hastened to add that the termination of PICA’s activities would not mean the end of his personal interest in the development of Israel. He said he was studying ways in which he could contribute in the future to the development of science and culture in Israel.
“I am sure that, with God’s help, the new chapter in the life of our people begun by the establishment of the State will be a chapter of glory and eternal life, “Baron de Rothschild said in concluding his letter. A postscript by his widow advised Mr. Ben Gurion that she was studying how to implement her late husband’s intentions to aid the development of science and culture in Israel.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
