[The purpose of the Digest is informative: Preference is given to papers not generally accessible to our readers. Quotation does not indicate approval.-Editor.]
The rejection of Dr. Wise’s resignation by the Zionist and Palestine Appeal Executives, indicates, declares the “Day,” that the Jews are capable of maintaining their attitude of tolerance even under the most difficult circumstances.
“The Zionist and Palestine Appeal Executives acted not only in accordance with the interests of Zionism but also in accordance with the higher interests of justice and fairness,” the paper avers. By rejecting Dr. Wise’s resignation the representatives of our national liberation movement demonstrated to the world once more that the Jews can maintain their attitude of tolerance even when the most primitive instincts of the people are touched, and that no agitation, hysterics, or exaggeration can deaden in the heart of the Jewish masses the urge for truth and justice.”
The “Day” urges that the past be forgotten now in mutual cooperation of all groups for Palestine reconstruction. Referring to the appointment by the Zionist Executive of a committee to bring about reconciliation with the orthodox rabbis, the paper points out that this manifests the readiness of the Zionists to extend a brotherly hand to anyone, regardless of past frictions or misunderstandings, who is willing to work for the rebuilding of the Jewish homeland.
“The rabbis must grasp this brotherly hand,” the “Day” says in conclusion. “It offers them an opportunity to quickly rehabilitate themselves in the eyes of the Jewish public, to extricate themselves from the difficult situation into which their hasty action has driven them.”
“There remain serious dangers which it is to be hoped the ‘victors’ will bear in mind and not regard with contempt,” declares the “Jewish Morning Journal,” which had advocated the acceptance of Dr. Wise’s resignation.
“Quiet dissatisfaction and suppressed anger will have a bad effect on the development of Zionism,” the paper points out, urging that an understanding be brought about as soon as possible between the orthodox rabbis and the Zionists.
The “Jewish Morning Journal,” deduces from the outcome of the controversy that the question of Palestine reconstruction is regarded by the Jews as paramount to all other issues.
“The correct interpretation of the result,” we are told, “is that the general sympathy of the Jews toward the work of Palestine reconstruction has dimmed all other issues, and hence many who otherwise would have voted against Wise, in this case supported him. The Appeal had to be saved, and the fear that it would suffer if Wise’s resignation were accepted is the sole explanation for its rejection.”
But this outcome, the paper feels, should be enough “to calm the stormy spirits and to convince them that it would not be practical to continue their open agitation.
“We need peace in the Jewish camp for Palestine and elsewhere, for the five million dollar drive and for the fifteen million dollar drive, and turbulent agitation will do no good,” the paper emphasizes.
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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.
