Hadassah Convention Criticizes Byrnes’ Statement of U.S. Policy on Palestine

A resolution expressing its “sense of shock” at the recent statement issued by Secretary of State Byrnes with regard to the policy of the United States Government on Palestine, was adopted today at the opening session of the Jist annual convention of Hadassah, attended by about 1,000 delegates representing (##) chapters in all parts of the country.

The resolution, addressed to President Truman, emphasized that the Secretary of State disregarded in his statement the fact that the American Government already has a positive policy regarding Palestine. The resolution reviewed the twenty-five years of action by the American Government, expressed in acts of Congress endorsing the Balfour Declaration and the Palestine Mandate, by the recent political platforms of both political parties, and by statements made by all Presidents since Wilson.

“These acts do not make the future of the Jewish people dependent upon the will of Arab potentates,” the resolution said. President Truman was asked “to see that the United States stands uncompromisingly in pursuit of justice and that it lives up to the promises of its great leaders and political parties.”

Mrs. Moses P. Epstein, president of Hadassah, in her keynote address, emphasized that there will be no backing down on Zionist demands. She called for a fight for “Jewish liberation and nationhood.” Dr. Solomon Goldman, of Chicago, addressing the opening session said that “Palestine belongs to the Jews, and only ignorant, or prejudiced elements, or liars can say otherwise.”

Elias Epstein of Jerusalem, speaking for the headquarters of the Jewish National Fund, told the conference that Jews bought 330,000 dunams of land in Palestine since the White Paper was issued, more than was purchased in the previous twenty years. It was reported at the session that Hadassah raised $4,963,154 during the past twelve months.