“The Jews who have set foot in Palestine will not let its doors close again,” Dr. Chaim Weizmann, President of the Jewish Agency, declared here last night addressing a dinner arranged by the Canadian Falestine Appeal, attended by 1,500 persons.
Pointing out that if the provisions of the British White Paper are observed, it will mean that Palestine will be closed for Jewish immigration within a year, the leader of the world zionist movement emphasized that the Jews “will not allow that the pledge made and solemnly signed by 53 nations should be broken.”
There is more reason for implementation of the Balfour Declaration now than at any time since that historic document was issued, Dr. Weizmann continued. The Jews, he said, more homeless, more persecuted than ever, are now bound to Palestine by stronger ties. They have demonstrated their ability to develop Palestine in the years between wars, he added, estimating that Palestine can absorb 3,000,000 Jews if given the opportunity of free development.
“Even when the war ends, it will continue for us,” Dr. Weizmann declared. “Jewish life is completely uprooted in Europe and can never be rebuilt. Only Palestine remains a ray of hope for reconstruction of Jewish life.”
Dr. Weizmann also pointed out that Russian Jewry has been lost for a whole generation and remained ignorant of Jewish achievements in Palestine. Attempts are now being made to again contact the Jews of Russia, he stated.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
