Economic Crisis in European Countries Affects Palestine Colonization and Immigration

Jewish Telegraphic Agency

The effects of the economic crisis in the East European countries, from which the largest volume of Jewish immigration to Palestine comes, on the Palestine situation were outlined in a statement issued here today by the Board of Directors of the Keren Hayesod, the Palestine Foundation Fund, which has for its purpose the carrying on of colonization in Palestine and caring for the newly arrived immigrants in the country.

The statement points out that the economic crisis in European countries has not only affected the collections for the Fund but also has had an effect on the scope and character of the present immigration to Palestine.

The Jews of the United States, Canada and South Africa are the only ones, who, by increasing their contributions to the Palestine Funds can remedy the situation.

“In the basic work of reconstruction in which the Keren Hayesod is engaged in Palestine, a situation has risen to which it is our duty to call the attention of the Jews of the world and in particular of the Jews of America,” the statement reads. “The basic activities of immigration, colonization, public health and education mast proceed without slackening, but in order that they may do so it becomes necessary that certain obstacles which have lately arisen should be effectively overcome.

“These obstacles arise from the fact that several European countries and particularly Poland, from which the Keren Hayesod as well as the Keren Kayemeth have in the past derived substantial incomes, have now been overtaken by a severe economic crisis accompanied by a depreciation of the currency. On the one hand this crisis makes it more necessary than ever for large numbers of our people in those lands, and particularly in Poland, to emigrate and Palestine is the country to which most of them turn their eyes. On the other hand, the revenue for the Keren Hayesod and the Keren Kayemeth from these countries is practically cut off.

“The effect of this reduction of income for the Keren Hayesod has already made itself felt in several departments of our work. Thus there has been a decline in the immigration figures during the month of January, and this at a time when, as has been stated, the number of those having to emigrate is greater than ever. A certain amount of unemployment has also been reported from Palestine. While these reports are not alarming they indicate insufficiency of capital for new undertakings and present a break in the excellent record of employment which Palestine has enjoyed now for nearly a year. Every such break must necessarily bring us concern and its prevention is possible in one way only: maintaining the flow of capital of which the Keren Hayesod is the principal source.

“In the circumstances, we consider it our duty to make even greater demands than before on those communities like Canada, South Africa, and, particularly, the United States, where economic conditions are stable and where many of our people are blessed with a surplus out of which they can make possible the steady work of rebuilding the Jewish National Home which must go on.

“We have been gratified by the reports of the progress of the United Palestine Appeal in America. We are particularly gratified by the fact that many of the previous contributors have greatly increased their contributions. It is necessary, however, that the number of contributors as well as the size of the contributions should also be increased. It is necessary further that the contributions be remitted promptly. An appeal of this character may not sound unusual in the ears of many who have heard similar appeals in the past. To the many thousand of Jews, however, of Poland, Russia, and other countries who look to Palestine as a haven and to Palestine itself where the future of the Jewish people is today being forged, these appeals are of vital importance. It is our hope that all Jews will be equally impressed with their importance and will respond to the measure of the great need,” the statement concluded.

The economic crisis in several European countries has made Palestine more than ever dependent on America, Hermann Conheim, National Treasurer of the United Palestine Appeal, declared in a statement urging the local communities to remit promptly their campaign proceeds in order that the needs of Palestine might be met.

Mr. Conheim expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Appeal since the Baltimore Conference of November 29th. In order to prevent a slump in the work of immigration and colonization in Palestine he urged that funds be remitted without delay. Mr. Conheim’s statement read:

“The United Palestine Appeal which was launched at the National Palestine Conference in Baltimore, November 29th, continues to grow in strength from day to day. That Conference was marked by an extraordinary outpouring of enthusiasm and generosity. This enthusiasm has not diminished. It is crystallizing itself in the organization of campaign activities throughout the country. Wherever campaigns have so far been held they have yielded a harvest for Palestine considerably in excess of that obtained during any previous effort. The standard of contributions has risen considerably. Both individuals and communities have cloubled and trebled their gifts to Palestine.

“We are still in the early stages of our undertaking. A number of communities have already completed their campaigns. The majority, however, have either only begun or are in the early stages of organization. Our monthly commitments to Palestine, however, must be met regularly and punctually. The economic crisis in several European countries has practically climinated them as sources of income for Palestine which looks more than ever to this country to furnish the sinews for the prosecution of the work of rebuilding.

“In a number of communities where campaigns have been stared a considerable amount of cash has already been raised, but it has not yet been remitted to the National Office. It is of the greatest necessity that these sums be remitted without delay. Frequetly, communities postpone such remittances until they are able to make the sum larger. I would urge the leaders in such communities to forego this consideration and to refit to the National Office whatever sums they have on hand.

“The reduction of the income of the Keren Hayesual from certain countries has already led to a falling off in some of the activities in Palestine. Thus in the month of January the number of new immigrants into Palestine was 2100 as against the much larger members (close to 4,000) which came in during each of the previous months. The scarcity of capital in Palestine is making itself felt in other directions also. It is our duty to supply the lack, to prevent a slump or a slackening in the quick pace which has characterized the work of rebuilding in the past six months.

“As Treasurer of the United Palestine Appeal, it is my privilege and burden to be the recipient of the frequent demands that come to us from Palestine. I am asking the officers in each community to share this privilege with me and to help me to carry the burden. I know that they will do it with the utmost devotion a devotion which will continue until our final goal is attained.”