A statement welcoming the passage by the Israel Parliament of the law granting status to the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency was issued here today by Mrs. Rose Halprin, acting chairman of the American branch of the Agency. The statement reads:
“The law passed by Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, granting special status to the Jewish Agency for Palestine, is confirmation in law of a relationship that has existed between the State of Israel and the World Zionist Organization from the day the state was established. The law was drafted in cooperation with Prime Minister David Ben Gurion and his cabinet, and the executive of the Jewish Agency for Palestine, for the purpose of creating a juridical relationship reflecting the unique character of this historic partnership in the development of Israel.
“The approval of this legal undertaking by Knesset is welcomed by both partners, the Jewish Agency for Palestine, speaking for the World Zionist Movement, and the Government of Israel, for whom the law itself speaks.
“It was last May, following a series of conferences with the executive of the Jewish Agency for Palestine, that the Prime Minister assumed responsibility for the passage of such legislation. He chaperoned the law through Knesset, and whatever changes have been introduced in the law in the course of parliamentary debate, are consistent with the original intent of the negotiations between the Jewish Agency and the Government.
“The World Zionist Organization, throughout its existence, has functioned in accordance with the following terms of reference: to bring about the re-establishment of a Jewish State in its historic territory, to develop the resources of that State and make it viable, to further colonization, and to assemble in its frontiers all Jews who wish to settle there. Throughout the many decades of struggle for a sovereign state, the World Zionist Organization bespoke the will and wishes of the Jewish people.
“When the state was established, the Jewish Agency witnessed with gratification the consummation of one of its primary aims-the establishment of a Jewish State. However, all other functions–the development of Israel, the resettlement of all Jews who wish to settle there, the maintenance of a flow of financial and technical assistance to Israel, and of cultural relations between the state and the world-wide Jewish community–still continue to be the solemn concern of the World Zionist Movement. The Jewish Agency for Palestine has throughout been the control agency for this work. The law on status constitutes de jure confirmation of a de facto situation.”
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