Group of Rabbis Issue Statement Opposing Formation of Jewish Army in Palestine

Fifty-seven rabbis, including nineteen from New York, signed a statement issued yesterday saying they opposed the plan to form a Jewish army in Palestine. The statement, released by Rabbi Samuel H. Goldenson of Temple Emanu-El, New York, reads:

“Our attention has been called to a dispatch from London relative to the sentiment in America with regarded to the creation of a Jewish army in Palestine, ” the statement said. “We desire to state that American Jewish opinion is sharply divided on this issue. We believe that the creation of a Jewish army to fight under its own banner would lead to further friction in Palestine, cause misunderstanding of the Jews the world over and thus add to the unhappy plight of our stricken people. We would urge, however, consideration of the immediate arming under the British flag of all Palestinians Loyal to the British and United Nations.” The statement appealed to “all people or groups” to put aside their particular interests and separate programs and concentrate on winning the war. “We reaffirm our belief that solution of the group problems of the Jews, wherever they live, ” the statement continued, “should be sought in the spirit of the prophetic teaching of Isaiah that ‘ the work of righteousness shall be peace.’ “

Other rabbis in New York City who signed the statement were I. Mortimer Bloom, Simon R. Cohen, Joseph S. Kornfeld, Isaac Landmen, Solomon Landman, Samuel J. Levinson, Clifton H. Levy, Nathan A. Perilman, Max Reichler, Jerome Rosenbloom, Williem F. Rosen bloom, Hyman J. Schachtel, Nathan Stern, Sidney S. Tedesche, Benjamin A. Tintner, Aaron L. Weinstein, Jonah B. Wise and Samuel J.B. Wolk.