During the year just concluded the Jewish community courageously faced manifold political, economic and security problems, undertaking vigorous action to cope with the international upheaval, free itself from dependency on imports which hitherto totalled 12,200,000, and expand the country’s agricultural and industrial potentialities.
The Jewish community offered maximum cooperation to Britain in its moves to defend Palestine. More than 4,000 Jews are now serving in various British units and will be ready for action when the time comes.
Internal problems occupied considerable attention, particularly the question of strong leadership. This led to the election of Pinchas Rutenberg as head of the Jewish National Council in September, 1939, Encountering difficulties in the ranks of the Council, Rutenberg resigned on Sept. 1 of this year because of what he termed “party arithmetic” (party politics).
The normal development of the Jewish community continued despite war and other implications. Jewish immigration totalled 11,500 including 4,700 extra-quot entrants bringing the Jewish community to more than 500,000. The Jewish National Fund listed a 1600,000 income and acquired 40,000 dunams of land making a total of 518,200 dunams held.
Eight new colonies were established and the old ones expanded, considerably increasing agricultural and dairy production. Simultaneously 30 new industries were established mainly in foodstuffs and also to cover army needs.
A citrus crop of 13,000,000 cases was garnered, 7,000,000 cases being exported. The coming crop is estimated at 9,000,000 cases. The Palestine Foundation Fund registered a net income of 1600,000, covering more than half of the Agency’s 11,100,000 budget.
Italy’s entrance into the war profoundly altered the Palestine situation. Haifa was raided by airplanes 10 times and Tel Aviv was attacked once. The casualties in Tel Aviv exceeded all of those inflicted at Haifa because it was an open town devoid of defenses. The Jewish community concentrated on passive defense measures and defrayed most of the cost. Arab and Jewish relations improved greatly, both eager to have Britain victorious.
Chief Rabbi Isaac Herzog today issued a message urging prayers “for the speedy triumph of God’s own cause over the powers bent on enslaving mankind and exterminating Israel.”
“Return to God and the Torah and remember that Zion will pray for the advent of the era foretold by Micah and Isaiah.”
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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.
