“crisis” at World Zionist Congress Settled, General Debate Resumes

The World Zionist Congress now taking place here resumed its sessions this morning after settling the “crisis” precipitated yesterday by Revisionist obstructionist tactics. The Revisionist delegates objected when a Mapam leader, Jacob Chazan, told the Congress that anyone “is a criminal against the Jewish people who demands war.” Mr. Chazan made this remark in taking issue with Herut-Revisionist leader Menahem Beigin who had called for a preventive war against Egypt.

When Mr. Chazan resumed speaking today, he noted that he had not intended to insult any delegate to the Congress or any particular group, but had said and had meant that any sort of incitement to war was a crime against the Jewish people. He thanked Dr. Nahum Goldmann, who presided at the session, for attempting “to protect the honor of the Zionist movement and the Congress” by checking the Revisionists.

Mr. Chazan was loudly applauded when he called on the Soviet Union to open the gates for Russian Jewry who are wholeheartedly with us.” The Congress delegates were visibly moved when he described the plight of Soviet Jewry, dwelling particularly on the fate of Jewish writers and scholars in the USSR. He noted that the Soviet constitution barred anti-Semitism and promised the Jews equality, but asserted that it did not assure freedom of thought and self-determination for the Jews. At the same time, he appealed for Israel and the Zionist movement to remain neutral in the power conflict between East and West.

Dr. Israel Goldstein, American General Zionist leader, who also called for the release of Jews imprisoned in the USSR for Zionist sympathies, said it would be a “betrayal of civilization” if the great powers “throw Israel to the wolves.” He held the United States greatly responsible for Israel. He stressed the great contributions of American Jewry, noting that between the United Jewish Appeal contributions and Israel bond sales, American Jews were providing Israel with more financial assistance this year than in the peak UJA year of 1948.

Mrs. Rose Halprin, Hadassah leader, declared that it was impossible to believe that the United States was motivated merely by considerations of expediency. It should be recalled, Mrs. Halprin continued, that the United States leads the free world and it is impossible to believe that the U.S. should “ignore the principles and duties enshrined in such leadership.”

Representations by American Zionists, Mrs. Halprin continued, were made not only in Israel’s behalf but also for the sake of the American people itself. “It is equally impossible to believe that the American Government would acquiesce in the spreading by Arab diplomats in the United States venomous anti-Semitism and anti-Israel feelings.” She recalled the sympathy and support of the Christian world for Israel’s cause in 1947 and said that it was equally indispensible now.

Louis Segal, American Labor Zionist leader, said that it was amazing that the West had not helped Israel in view of the Czech-Egyptian arms deal. He predicted that American Jews would stand up for Israel’s rights. Americans of all walks of life are anxious to assist Israel, he said. He expressed concern over the plight of Russian Jewry.

Yitzhak Tabenkin, of the Achdut Avodah, warned of the dangers facing Israel and asked that Jews throughout the world marshal their resources to strengthen Israel’s economy. Zionist aims will be fulfilled only when Jews who are not fleeing for their lives are willing to come to Israel.

Peretz Bernstein, leader of the Israeli General Zionist Party, called for the launching of a preventive war, insisting that the greatest danger to Israel lay in the impression that Israel wishes to avoid war under all circumstances.

(Israel Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett was scheduled to address the World Zionist Congress tonight but by the time the Bulletin went to press no word had been received from Jerusalem as to whether he spoke. Nor was there any information as to whether the Congress had issued a declaration on Israel’s security situation, which was to follow Mr. Sharett’s address.)