British Zionists Call on London to Accept Jewish Army; Air Raids Fail to Halt Parley

Five air raid warnings failed today to interrupt the annual conference of the British Zionist Federation which pledged full support for the war effort and called on the Government to accept an offer to raise a Jewish army under the British flag.

The conferees passed a resolution expressing the belief that a new order would emerge after a British victory in which Jewish rights would be safeguarded and the Jewish nation re-established in Palestine.

Dr. Chaim Weizmann, president of the Jewish Agency for Palestine, in a message read to the conferees predicted that the Jewish people in Palestine and throughout the world soon would be able to make a significant contribution to the allied war effort.

Dr. Weizmann announced he intended to go to the United States next month and offered to address a special session of the conference before his departure. The conference consequently will be resumed in about a fortnight when it is generally expected that Dr. Weizmann will announce the successful outcome of negotiations for the formation of a Jewish army.

“Now Palestine is rapidly becoming one of the main theaters of war,” Dr. Weizmann’s message said. “It has become abundantly clear that the Jewish community in Palestine, in common with the Jewish people throughout the world. may be able to make a significant contribution for ultimate victory of Britain and her allies.”

He pointed out that the Zionists of Britain were “summoned once more to perform a unique role” and urged them “to be strong and of good courage.”

Prof. Selig Brodetsky, member of the Jewish Agency Executive expressed regret that 13 months after war had started the Jews had not been given an opportunity to participate as allies in the war effort and said he hoped this would be righted in the near future.