The shocking revelation during the past week of intensified Nazi atrocities against the Jews in Europe makes it clearer than ever that Fascism must be eradicated from the surface of the earth, Matthew Woll, vice-president of the American Federation of Labor, declared here last night addressing the 18th annual convention of the National Labor Committee for Palestine, attended by 2,000 guests and delegates from all parts of the country.
“I speak to you as a Christian,” Mr. Woll said. “There are no words in the lexicon of the human race to express the horror which those acts have provoked. It is impossible for ordinary men to conceive of flesh and blood capable of such cruel and monstrous behavior. These are no men – these are fiends. Kind words will not subdue them. A surgeon cannot appease a cancer. Prayers will not influence the devil. Our answer must be cold steel.”
Mr. Woll praised the achievements of Jewish labor in Palestine and expressed the hope that in the post-war world reorganization that lies ahead Jews will gain their independence under the Balfour Declaration on the soil of Palestine in addition to securing freedom and equality in their adopted countries. The convention also received greetings from William Green, president of the American Federation of Labor and Philip Murray, president of the C.I.O.
Dr. Chaim Weizmann, in a message to the convention, emphasized the role which Jewish labor has been playing in the upbuilding of Palestine and expressed the hope that Palestine will become a Jewish Commonwealth. Israel Mereminsky, representative of the Histadruth in America, declared in his address that the Histadruth is now preparing plans for bringing into Palestine over 250,000 Jewish workers during the first six months after the war.
Abrogation of the anti-Semitic laws in French possessions in North Africa after the United States invasion was lauded by Morris Feinstone, secretary of the United Hebrew Trades, who presided at a luncheon meeting of the 2,000 delegates attending the two-day convention.
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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.
