Jewish Agency Executive Urged to Intervene in Polish Zionist Conflict over Distribution of Palestine

It is high time that the Executive of the Jewish Agency should intervene in the painful conflict which has broken out in Poland around the question of the distribution of the Palestine immigration certificates, “Emanuel” (Mr. Joseph Heftman, the well known publicist, former editor of the Hebrew daily “Hayom”), writes in a leading article in the “Moment”.

It is a serious matter, he says, which can only please our enemies, and give them fuel for a new campaign against Zionism and the Zionist Organisation. A considerable part of our Organisation, the Revisionists in Poland, have declared what is practically a boycott against the way in which the immigration certificates have been distributed. The Revisionists want to withdraw from all further activity on behalf of the Keren Hayesod and the Jewish National Fund, and are already beginning to carry their threat into execution. The harm which will ensue from such a step is easily apparent. Not only will our national funds suffer materially, but the entire prestige of the Zionist Organisation will be undermined. What sort of an organisation is it, if its members, Zionists, can suddenly leave the most important work of financing the entire structure, assisting the funds which are the basis of the Jewish National Home.

At the same time, Mr. Heftman goes on, it is impossible to ignore the wrong that has been committed against the Revisionists and against other groups in the General Zionist camp in the distribution of the certificates. What the Revisionists have done is an act of desperation. People who do things in desperation do not judge coolly, but we must admit that these people have been roused to indignation and desperation. The Palestine offices have not been reconstituted according to the new composition of the parties, as was decided by the Congress. The decisions with regard to the distribution of the certificates and the right to enter Palestine, have remained dependent on the old administrators, according to the previous strength of the parties. The way in which the last batch of certificates have been distributed has roused the indignation not only of the Revisionists. Those who represent the interests of the middle-class are also indignant. The Mizrachi has issued a sharp protest. Unfortunately, the General Zionists in Poland are so divided among themselves that it is difficult to hear their voices, and the Et Livnoth, which always demanded rights for middle-class immigrants, is entirely unrepresented in the Palestine Office. Other sections, too, are dissatisfied. We hope that all these dissatisfied groups will not follow the example of the Revisionists, and wreak their fury on the Funds,

by weakening the upbuilding of Palestine. We believe that the Revisionists themselves will cancel their circular about the Funds, but we call upon the Executive and the Actions Committee to intervene in this matter, with all the determination which a critical moment requires. The leading institutions of the Zionist movement must be reminded that at the present day and with the position of the Jewish youth what it is in countries like Poland, the question of the certificates is vital, and the hasty step taken by the Revisionists in Poland does denote an impulsive reaction on the part of Zionists who feel that they have been wronged, and demand justice. Zionist public opinion demands the urgent intervention of the Executive in this embittered conflict.