Dr. Goldmann Corrects Frisch’s Version of the Jewish Agency Agreement with Z.O.A.

Dr. Nahum Goldmann, chairman of the American section of the Jewish Agency, today issued a statement clarifying the recent announcement made by Daniel Frisch, president of the Zionist Organization of America, regarding the agreement concerning the allocation of funds by the Jewish Agency for Z.O.A. projects.

Mr. Frisch reported that the agreement provides for the allocation by the Jewish Agency executive and the World Confederation of General Zionists of a total of $1,250,000 to the Zionist Organization of America for constructive undertakings by the Z.O.A. in Israel and for financing the establishment of the first two Z.O.A. colonies there. Dr. Goldmann, in his statement today, said:

“The announcement made by Mr. Frisch needs certain clarification. The arrangement between the Jewish Agency for Palestine and the Z.O.A. concerns two points. The first concerns an allocation by the Constructive Fund of the Confederation of General Zionists of $500,000 for Z.O.A. projects in Israel for 1950 which was made possible by a decision of the executive of the Jewish Agency to increase next year’s allocation to the Constructive Fund by $350,000.

“The second point concerns two colonies to be established in Israel for American chalutzim. The decision of the Jewish Agency executive was to finance these two colonies within the Agency’s 1950 colonization budget. The colonies will be based on plans drawn up by the Z.O.A. in consultation with the Colonization Department of the Jewish Agency.

“No budget has yet been fixed for the two colonies. The amount of $750,000 mentioned in the statement by the Z.O.A. is based only on a personal estimate by Mr. Frisch. The budget for the two colonies will be worked out after more details about the project are available. The implementation of the project will naturally remain in the hands of the Colonization Department of the Jewish Agency for Palestine.”