Ichud Party Issues Declaration; Not Anti-zionist but Opposes Jewish State

A statement clarifying the aims of the newly formed Ichud (“Union”) Party, emphasizing that the party is not anti-Zionist but opposes the policy of advocating the establishment of Palestine as a Jewish State, was issued here today by the leaders of the new group. The statement reads:

“After the publication of Dr. Magnes’ article on “Palestine and Arab Union” in the ‘Ba’ayet Hayem’ in June, it was thought by a number of well-known persons in Palestine that some organized expression should be given to the main idea contained in that article. As a consequence, a meeting of about a hundred persons was held on August 11. The invitations to the meeting were signed by Prof. M. Buber, Mr. Goldwater, Dr. S. Hirsch, Henrietta Szold, Mr. Julius Simon, Mr. M. Smilansky, Rabbi J. Unna and Justice A. Valero. Dr. Magnes addressed this meeting and as a result an interim committee was appointed to draw up a declaration to which those wishing to join the “Union” would adhere.

“It is seen from the declaration that the “Union” is not at all an anti-Zionist organization. It is, however, opposed to the present policy of the official Zionist leadership in advocating the establishment of Palestine as a Jewish State. It is opposed equally to the establishment of Palestine as an Arab State. The “Union” is convinced that the problem of Palestine is inseparable from that of the Middle East, and that the problem of the Middle East is inseparable from the creation of a Union of Free Peoples in which America and England would play a leading part. The declaration is as follows:

“1. The ‘Union’ adhere to: a) The Zionist movement insofar as this seeks the establishment of the Jewish National Home for the Jewish people in Palestine, b) The struggle throughout the world for a Hew Order in international relations, and a Union of the peoples, large and small, for a life of freedom and justice without fear, oppression and want.

“2. The ‘Union’ therefore regards a Union between the Jewish and Arab peoples as essential for the upbuilding of Palestine and for meeting its basic problems. The ‘Union’ will strive for cooperation between the Jewish world and the Arab world in all branches of life-social, cultural and political-thus making for the revival of the whole Semitic world.

“3. The main political aims of the ‘Union’ are as follows: a) Government in Palestine based upon equal political rights for the two peoples: b) The adherence of the steadily growing Yishub and of the whole Jewish people to a Federative Union of Palestine and neighbouring countries. This Federative Union is to guarantor the national rights of all the peoples within it; c) a covenant between this Federative Union and an Anglo-American Union which is to be a part of the future Union of the free peoples. This Union of the free peoples is to bear the ultimate responsibility for the establishment and stability of international relations in the New World after the war.”