Palestine Honors Dizengoff on 75th Birthday

The Palestine Government today joined the Jews in celebrating the seventy-fifth birthday of Meier Dizengoff, mayor of this all-Jewish city since its founding in 1909, allocating $25,000 for creation of a public park in his name to be called “Gan Meier.”

While Jewish organizations throughout the country were observing the birthday, announcement of the park grant was made by District Commissioner Robert E. H. Crosbie, speaking in Hebrew at a reception for the Mayor here.

The Municipal Council recently persuaded Mr. Dizengoff to serve another term after defeat of his party in election of councillors had indicated his political career was ended. Before the election he had announced refusal to serve another term, expressing dissatisfaction with the “negative treatment” the Palestine Government was giving the city to which he had devoted a third of his life.

For many years, Mr. Dizengoff has turned over his entire salary to projects not municipally financed, such as the Tel Aviv Orchestra, the fire brigade and various public improvements. Even at this advanced stage in life he is known for his constant activity, retaining membership in the Jewish National Assembly and holding consulships for several European countries here, including Belgium.

Mr. Dizengoff has resided in the Holy Land more than thirty years. Coming here in 1905, when pogroms were at their height in Russia, he laid the foundation for his career in the seaport city of Jaffa.

In 1909, in company with other Jewish leaders, he founded Tel Aviv on what was then a barren tract. During the World War, the Jews were banished to the northern part of Palestine, where he undertook to supervise relief activities. His life was frequently in danger as a result of antagonism stirred in Turkish circles by his activities.

The city of Tel Aviv today has a population of about 75,000 and is rated as one of the most modern communities in the Near East.