By a majority vote, following strenuous opposition on the part of American delegates, the constituent congress of the New Zionist Organization last night decided to appoint a special commission to deal with the problem of establishing a “Jewish Legion for the protection of Jewish peace.”
Jacob de Haas, veteran American Zionist, opposed linking up a Jewish legion with the new organization. Jews in America, Canada and England, he emphasized, are definitely against any militaristic tendency. He pointed out that although American Jews sent thousands of Jewish young men into the Jewish Legion to fight for Palestine during the World War, they are, however, opposed to militaristic experiments.
“Jews in America, Canada and England do not recognize the usefulness of a Jewish Legion at present,” he declared. “They therefore demand that this question should not be taken up, and that no special commission be appointed.”
He also emphasized that if the congress adopts the motion it will be difficult for him to press the work of the New Zionist Organization on his return to America.
Dr. Perl, Revisionist leader, who submitted the resolution, declared that the establishment of a Jewish legion is not a question of militarism. “It has no militaristic purpose,” he said, “it is only a question of protecting Jewish peace where such protection is necessary.”
“Such protection,” he added, “has been organized by every nation in the world and should be organized also by the Jews.”
The finance committee of the congress today adopted a budget of $90,000 for organizational work next year.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
