Mizrachi Quits World Zionist Executive; Zionist Congress Will Be Convoked Next Summer

The next World Zionist Congress, supreme body of the world Zionist movement, will be convoked not later than next summer, it was announced here today by David ben-Gurion, chairman of the World Zionist Executive, as the Mizrachi Orthodox Zionist Organization officially withdrew its representatives from the executive.

The withdrawal of the Mizrachi, which created tremendous excitement at today’s session of the World Zionist Conference, was accompanied by the following declaration:

“In view of the statements made by Dr. Weizmann and other members of the executive showing that they are not executing the Biltmore Declaration (which asks for the establishment of Palestine as a Jewish State) and have no definite political line, also in view of the existance of deep difference of opinion among the members of the executive and the general unsatisfactory conduct of affairs, the Mizrachi demands a reorganization of the executive to be composed of a coalition giving all members the same rights and not leaving the conduct of affairs in the hands of one group, Until this demand is complied with the Mizrachi Organization will withdraw its members from the executive.”

The present executive was elected by the last world Zionist Congress in Geneva during the fateful days of August 1939 when the outbreak of the world war forced a hasty conclusion of the Congress. A new executive can be elected only by the World Zionist Congress. A five-point program to govern the activities of the Zionist executive until the Congress is convened was outlined today by Ben-Gurian addressing the Conference which is expected to close on Sunday. The work of the Zionists, he said, must be based on the following principles.

1. Passive and active resistance to the implementation and the continuation of the White Paper in its present or a modified form. Strengthening of Jewish immigration, settlement and security in Palestine under all circumstances.

2. Increased political activity in England and in other United Nations centers for the immediate designation of Palestine as a Jewish State, with authority given to the Jewish Agency or to the provisional Jewish Government to effect a speedy transfer of the first million Jews from European, Oriental and other countries to Palestine, as well as to further development schemes which would enable the settlement of additional millions while raising the standard of living of both Jews and Arabs,

3. Incessant striving for cooperation with the Arabs in Palestine to develop the country to its maximum for the benefit of all inhabitants. Also an alliance of friendship between the Jewish State and the Arab peoples in the neighboring countries on the basis of mutual assistance for the welfare, peace and progress of all countries in the Middle East.

4. Rallying the remnants of European Jewry, headed by the youth as an active Zionist force, for the purpose of their speady transfer to Palestine.

5. Deepening among Jews in all countries of the world the consciousness that settlement in Palestine is an historic necessity for the Jewish people regardless of the land in which they reside, and that a Jewish State is indispensable for the free existence even of those Jews desiring to remain in the countries outside of Palestine.

BRODETSKY CALLS FOR CONFIDENCE IN THE BRITISH LABOR GOVERNMENT

Prof. Selig Brodetsky, member of the World Zionist Executive, addressing the session of the conference said that it is “absurd” to suspect that the British Labor Government would not fulfil the promises of the Labor Party with regard to Palestine.

Emphasizing his firm faith that the Laborites would stand by their pledges, he at the same time warned this does not mean that “the Zionists have everything in their pocket now.” He said that the London office of the Zionist executive suffered from lack of funds and therefore maintained a small apparatus which, he insisted, must now be enlarged.

Dr. Nahum Goldmann, reporting at today’s session on the Zionist efforts at the San Francisco Conference of the United Nations said that these efforts concentrated around saving the terms of the Palestine Mandate. “But now a world revolution is in the making, “he declared. “Now is the time to exert the utmost pressure for the achievement of a Jewish State.” The session was also addressed by Berl Locker, leader of the Laborite Zionists, who said that the Soviet Delegation at the International Trade Union Conference recently held in London not only voted for the Palestine resolution which the conference adopted, but actively supported it.

DR. WEIZMANN REPLIES TO CRITICISM; SAYS HE WANTS UNITY

Replying to the speakers who participated in the general debate, Dr. Chaim Weizmann, president of the World Zionist Organization, said that when he warned in his opening address not to have too much confidence in British political leaders, he did not mean to imply that as he previously urged confidence in the Churchill Government he now cautions against reposing confidence in the Labor Government. He stressed the fact that the World Zionist Executive worked not only among British Laborites, but also with other political parties. He emphasized that there is more good will towards Zionism among the Laborites than among other political groups in England.

The reunion of Zionist leaders from various countries – the first since the cutbreak of the war – is the main achievement of the present World Zionist Conference. Dr. Weizmann declared. “The significance of our gathering lies in the reunion of Zionists rather than in resolutions,” he stated.

Referring to the difference of opinion between him and David Ben-Gurion, Dr. Weizmann said that he had difficulties with Ben-Gurion on questions of tempo. “But I still say that we can work together,” he continued. “I do not want to quarrel even with Dr. J. L. Magnes although I would never allow him to shape policy. One thing is clear: We laid in the recent years a foundation for a Jewish State which can be built only by toil and sweat. We must raise the work in Palestine to a scientific level to become an important even though a small state.”