The crisis that has existed for some time in the World Mizrachi Organisation because of the withdrawal of the Mizrachi representatives on the Zionist World Executive has reached its climax now, the J.T.A. here is informed. The differences of opinion on fundamental problems and on questions of tactics, both in the political and in the financial and administrative field, between the German Mizrachi, the Dutch Mizrachi, a large section of the Mizrachi in Czecho-Slovakia, several smaller Mizrachi groups in other countries, and considerable sections of the Zeire Mizrachi and the Hapoel Mizrachi on the one hand, and the leaders of the World Mizrachi Organisation on the other, have now resulted in what is practically the presentation of an ultimatum to the World Mizrachi, in the form of resolutions adopted by the Conference of the German Mizrachi Organisation, which has been held here this week.
If the demands of the opposition embodied in the resolution are rejected, it is stated, there will be a split in the World Mizrachi followed by the Opposition forming a separate Left Mizrachi Federation. The final test of strength will be at the Mizrachi World Conference to be held just before the Seventeenth Zionist Congress.
38 delegates were present at the German Mizrachi Conference. Dr. Oscar Wolfsberg, who has just returned from Palestine, said in the course of his report that he had been struck not only by the Jewish energy and unshakeable determination which convinced him that the work must succeed, in spite of all difficulties, but also by the national-religious spirit of the work which he traced back to the Mizrachi spirit and which ensured success. The school system of the Mizrachi was a strong factor in the country, and was influencing the spiritual structure of the upbuilding work. The spirit of the Mizrachi workers was a vital part of the creative forces in the country, which could no longer be done away with.
The debate which followed showed that the German Mizrachi is practically united on the situation, and the resolutions putting the demands of the German Mizrachi to the Mizrachi World Conference were adopted unanimously.
When the Conference was asked to empower the German Mizrachi to draw the consequences if these resolutions were rejected at the World Conference, 24 delegates voted in favour, 8 voted against, preferring that the situation should in that case come up again for discussion at a new German Mizrachi Conference, and three delegates abstained.
The main field of work of the Mizrachi, the resolutions state, lies in the religious and spiritual direction, and political questions must be placed in the background in their favour. It is the duty of the Mizrachi to avoid political conflicts, and concentrate on cultural work and to assist in the practical upbuilding activities. Religious-national propaganda and definite achievement in promoting the actual upbuilding work in the Mizrachi sense must be the central points of Mizrachi activity in the Diaspora. The efforts of the Hapoel Hamizrachi must be recognised as an essential factor in conducting the upbuilding of Palestine in the spirit of the Torah. The Mizrachi World Organisation must overlook all matters which do not directly affect religious questions.
Detailed proposals were made with regard to the new Central Committee of the World Mizrachi and the delegates to the Mizrachi World Conference were instructed to exert all efforts to carry the resolutions. Rabbi Dr. Hoffmann, Dr. Leibowitz, Dr. Arnold Barth, and Herr Lazarus Barth, were elected delegates, and Herr Alexander Adler and Herr Eugen Michaelis Deputy Delegates.
Mr. Lazarus Barth, one of the two members of the Mizrachi withdrawn from the Zionist World Executive, presented a report on the Mizrachi at the Zionist Congress. He described the political and economic activity of the Zionist Executive, the problems with which the Executive will have to deal in the near future, and the stand which the parties are expected to take at the Seventeenth Zionist Congress.
He also dealt with the problems which have arisen as a result of the extension of the Jewish Agency, to which, he said, the Congress will have to pay earnest attention.
In the discussion which followed Dr. Silberstein expressed views approximating closely to Revisionist ideas, emphasising, however, that he did not identify himself with the Revisionist methods. Dr. Rabin took up a similar attitude. The great majority of the delegates, including those of the Zeire Mizrachi, identified themselves with the view expressed by Mr. Lazarus Barth.
Dr. Wolfsberg, Rabbi Dr. Hoffmann, Herr Lazarus Barth, Dr. Silberstein, and Dr. Leibowitz have been elected as the delegates of the German Mizrachi to the Zionist Congress.
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