An appeal to all branches of the World Confederation of General Zionists to devote any conferences already convoked, or to be especially convoked if necessary, to the consideration of practical plans to help Israel meet the immigration problem which will soon confront it, was issued here today by Dr. Israel Goldstein and Mrs. Rose Halprin, co-chairmen of the Confederation.
These conferences, they pointed out, must have “immediacy” as their key-note. All-out efforts must be made to enlarge the income from Keren Hayesod and UJA campaigns in order to help the Jewish Agency and the Government of Israel cope with the severe tasks ahead. “In view of the emergency situation,” the appeal stated, “our branches must be alerted to the great responsibilities now devolving upon the entire Jewish world.
“Less than 15 years ago,” the appeal continued, “when the world still staggered under the shock of war, one quarter million of our brothers, broken in body and spirit, waited in transition camps in Germany, Austria and Italy to be transferred to the land of Jewish hopes and dreams. At that time, it was the sympathy of the democratic world, and the generosity of world Jewry which helped to realize those hopes and dreams. Today, with the State of Israel nobly shouldering the burden and opening wide her gates to the distressed and the homeless, Jews of the world will again be put to the test. We are confident that Jews the world over, and particularly General Zionists who are the backbone of the Zionist movement in the Diaspora, will pass this test with flying colors, alert to the gravity of the situation.”
A further point to be considered, the appeal emphasized, is the question of private investments in Israel’s industries. “This is a matter of almost equal urgency and gravity for Israel as that of material aid in bringing the new arrivals to its shores,” the appeal said. “Foreign investments, for which the Government now offers more favorable and liberal terms, will not only help the country’s economy, but will furnish immediate employment for the newcomers. It must be kept in mind that these new immigrants, unlike most of their predecessors, will comprise a great majority of professionals, trained craftsmen and businessmen.”
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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.
