Lipsky Says Administration Would Quit in 24 Hours if American Zionists Oppose It

The present American Zionist administration wouldn’t remain in office 24 hours if it felt that the American Zionists are against it. This was the statement made by Louis Lipsky, president of the Zionist Organization of America, Sunday afternoon at the conference of the New York Zionist Region in the Hotel Pennsylvania.

Lipsky replied to many of the criticisms which have been levelled recently against Zionist leadership both in this country and abroad. Zionism, he said, is in a critical condition now, due to the situation which has been created as a result of the Arab riots and massacres of last August, which had the effect of changing completely the Zionist psychology.

“The attempt of the Arab,” said Mr. Lipsky, “was not merely to kill a few score of Jews, but to weaken the morale of the movement. By their policy of critical carping, fruitless discussion and refusal to renew action, many of our Zionists are permitting the Arabs to succeed in their aim. That is why Zionism is facing a crisis today.”

There is no internal struggle or administration difficulty in the Zionist organization today, stated Lipsky, who gave it as his opinion that the trouble in the organization “is nothing but the reflection of troubles in the Zionist movement and is not to be explained by any talk of internal or administration difficulties.

“We were unprepared for that Arab attack, which warned us that our policy of peaceful penetration of Palestine could not be continued,” said Lipsky. “It has meant, with Zionists the world over, the realization that our entire policy and conception of conditions there had to be altered radically.”

Everything today in the Zionist movement is in a state of uncertainty, he declared. On March 23rd, the Administrative Committee of the Jewish Agency will meet in London when many things will be decided upon. In the meantime, before the report of the Palestine Inquiry Commission is in, no one can know, not even Prime Minister MacDonald, what will be the future course of events in Palestine.

Speaking of the coming Allied Jewish Campaign, Lipsky called upon Zionists to give it their fullest support. He said that the Zionists are equal partners in this campaign, and should they fail to give it their whole-hearted support Palestine would suffer.

Jonah Goldstein, president of the New York Zionist Region, also spoke. He criticized what he termed the “hysteria” of the opposition, and said there was no need for Zionists to live in a state of apathy and discouragement.

“We Zionists,” said Attorney Goldstein, “did not enter into a partnership with anti-Zionists, but with people who are near and sympathetic towards Zionism.”

Other speakers were Ab. Goldberg and Judge Bernard Rosenblatt. Morris Margolies, secretary of the New York Zionist region, reported on its recent activities.