Between the Lines

It seems to me it is high time for the non-Zionists of the Jewish Agency to probe the methods by which immigration certificates for Palestine are being distributed in the various countries.

Complaints are now being voiced from Poland, from Greece, from Austria and from the Jewish Farmers’ Association in Palestine against the Jewish Agency’s methods of distributing the certificates, and these complaints affect the prestige of the non-Zionist section of the Agency no less than the Zionist.

But the non-Zionists actually have no say in the distribution of certificates. All the certificates are being distributed by the so-called Palestine Offices in different countries, in which the non-Zionists are not represented A situation is thus created whereby the non-Zionists are assuming responsibility for which is being done altogether without their participation.

When the Palestine government grants immigration certificates under the labor schedule to the Executive of the Jewish Agency, it bears in mind that the Agency is a body composed of Zionists and non-Zionists. It considers the non-Zionists an equal partner in the Agency. It places upon the non-Zionists equal responsibility.

FAITH AND COMPLAINTS

{NOTE}The responsibility placed by the Palestine government upon the non-Zionist section of the Jewish Agency in immigration matters has hitherto been carried by the non-Zionists without even investigating as to how these matters are handled. Having blind confidence in the Zionist section of the Agency, the non-Zionists have left the matter of distributing the certificates entirely in the hands of the Palestine Amts, which consists of representatives of different Zionist groups only.{/NOTE}

As long as there were no complaints concerning the work of the Palestine Amts, there was perhaps no necessity for the non-Zionists to demand any representation in this body, even though they are fully entitled to it. Now, however, things have changed. Complaints are pouring in from all sides against the Palestine Amt system and the non-Zionists therefore owe it to themselves to make use of their right to fifty per cent representation and to demand it as far as controlling distribution certificates is concerned.

REVISION NEEDED

{NOTE}The immigration certificate today has become a tool in the hands of various Zionist groups. It is actually being utilized form party purposes. In the fight now going on between the Zionist factions, the distribution of immigration certificates plays very important role.{/NOTE}

The non-Zionists, who have no interest in this internal fight, also have no interest in being used as a tool by one Zionist group or another. To them the Palestine Amt is an institution established for no other purpose than to bring Jews to Palestine.

It is for this reason that the non-Zionist will be quite justified if they demand that their representatives, too, have a voice in the distribution of certificates. It is altogether abnormal when this function is left to representatives of groups each of which has an axe to grind. The distribution of certificates should be entrusted to an absolutely impartial body.