J. T. A. Refuses to Countenance Histadruth Curb on Free Press

Reproduced here is the statement of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency explaining its position with regard to the efforts made by the Histadruth to force it from its impartial position for partisan, propaganda purposes.

The great principle of freedom of the press is the issue between the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and the leaders of the Histadruth.

The leaders of the Histadruth (the Labor party within the Zionist movement), clothing themselves with the authority of the Executive of the Jewish Agency for Palestine which they control, have embarked upon the business of selling news in competition with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Funds of the Jewish Agency are being used for this purpose. This new service, styled “Palcor,” operates from the offices of the Executive in Palestine. The gentleman who is in charge of this service is an employe of the Executive. In London it also operates from the offices of the Zionist headquarters, and the salary of the man in charge of the Palcor service there is paid by the Executive in London.

Palcor has been established by the leaders of the Histadruth in order to control the news emanating from Palestine and to solidify their own position by a propaganda service which would serve their own partisan interests. The Histadruth leaders, in order to give their news service added prestige and authority, have utilized the dominant position they hold in the Executive to launch this enterprise in the name of and on behalf of the Executive of the Jewish Agency for Palestine. The Palcor service makes no pretense

Reproduced here is the statement of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency explaining its position with regard to the efforts made by the Histadruth to force it from its impartial position for partisan, propaganda purposes.