Between the Lines

Is the temporary peace now prevailing in the Zionist ranks going to be broken?

Two statements, one issued by Ben-Gurion, the leader of the Histadruth, and the other made by Vladimir Jabotinsky, the leader of the Revisionists, indicate that the Zionist movement may again soon be in a state of warfare.

Speaking in behalf of the Zionist Executive of which he is a member, Mr. Ben-Gurion issued a statement last Thursday, declaring that “the present peace reached between the Revisionists and the Zionist Executive is not yet final.” Mr. Ben-Gurion insists that the Revisionists submit to the absolute sovereignty of the Zionist Executive, otherwise there will be no peace.

Mr. Jabotinsky, on the other hand, in a statement made in a public address in Lwow last Friday, accuses the World Zionist Executive of “playing a role which is likely to disturb the present atmosphere of peace now reigning in the Zionist movement.” He threatens consequences for “certain instructions” which have allegedly been sent out by the Executive and which he claims are contradictory to the spirit of the existing peace agreement.

UNITY ESSENTIAL

It would be a tremendous disappointment to many Jews if the road to peace within Zionism were blocked again, and if the regretful clashes between the Laborites and the Revisionists were to reoccur. Needless to add, this would also be directly injurious to the Jewish interests in Palestine.

What the Zionist movement needs today is unity. Responsible not only to Zionists, but also to Jews who proceed to Palestine as Jews, the leaders of the Zionist movement—of all factions— must understand that Palestine may soon face developments which will require united resistance on the part of Jewry as a whole.

It is for this reason that the leaders both of the Executive and of the Revisionists should not let themselves be dominated by the extremist wings in their camps who wish nothing but a fight. The extremists of both the Histadruth and the Revisionists ought to be sacrificed for the sake of a lasting peace which every Jew should like to see and which would only add prestige to the present Zionist Executive.

DANGERS TO MEET

A report just published by the Mandates Commission in Geneva discloses that the Arabs have sent in an official petition to the League of Nations, threatening open violence in Palestine. Another report, in Near East and India, the semi-official organ of the Colonial Office, makes it clear that the Legislative Assembly will be established in Palestine after all, whether the Jews wish it or not.

In the light of such probable occurrences, it would be criminal on the part of any group in the Zionist party not to cement the peace achievements already reached. The enthusiasm with which these achievements have been received by world Jewry proves that they should not turn out to be just a mirage. Whether the World Zionist Congress is going to be held in 1935 or not— peace must prevail at least until the Congress is convened.