Position of Jews in Galuth Countries Shows Change for Worse, Says Zionist Executive

The situation of the Jewish people in most countries of the Galuth has, during the last years, undergone a marked change for the worse, the Executive of the Zionist Organization writes in a statement which it has issued here, calling on supporters of the Zionist movement to register as payers of the Shekel, because the power of the Zionist Organization inside Jewry, and the strength that the Zionist Organization, through the Jewish Agency, gives to the guardians of our political rights in relation to the Jewish National Home, are determined by the extent to which Jews and Jewesses of all countries acknowledge themselves as bound to the Zionist movement through the Shekel.

Our political status, the statement says, is threatened in some lands, and our economic position is seriously endangered in almost every country in the world. Jewish youth sees itself threatened with complete elimination from the economic scheme under which it lives; what is even more important, the destruction of our political and economic status in many countries has brought with it psychological problems which can only be solved by the concentration of all our physical and mental energy on the assertion of our historic national unity.

On the other hand, it goes on, as if in reply to the dire need of the Jewish people, Eretz Israel, during the past years, has held out hands of welcome to an increasing number of her sons and daughters.

“Thousands of Jews, both those who live by manual labor and others who live by commerce, industry and the professions, —and above all, thousands who see in their establishment on the soil of Palestine the end of their agelong wanderings—have during the past years set up their homes in Palestine and contributed to the consolidation of our position there.

“Palestine, in the midst of a world of depression, and of what may be #alled world insecurity, remains one of the few countries where the happiness of positive constructive work and the joy of national redemption are to be experienced. The Zionist movement remains one of the few positive forces working for reconstruction and for the increase of confidence.

“This state of affairs imposes upon us increased responsibilities. Our first tasks are, of course, to bring as many Jews into Palestine as possible and to settle as many as possible on the land, but there are many other problems with which the Zionist Organization

and the Jewish Agency find themselves faced.

“Political problems are fortunately in a more hopeful state of development than they were a few years ago. Yet many important fundamental problems remain to be discussed, and the power of those who have the privileged, but onerous task of representing the Zionist ideals and demands must depend upon the evidence they can offer for the claim that they speak on behalf of the nation. This evidence is afforded by the number of Shekolim taken up by Jews and Jewesses in the past few years.

“Our movement,” it concludes, “is not only a political movement, and one that works with economic forces; it is also a spiritual movement—one that aims at the regeneration of the Jewish people all over the world through emphasis upon Jewish spiritual unity by the possession of Jewish culture, language and thought that go back through nearly forty centuries. We appeal to you to strengthen our national unity by joining the ranks of our great movement.

“We are approaching the 18th Zionist Congress, the decisions of which will be of greatest moment for the future of our National Home and our movement. Do your utmost to render this Congress truly representative of vast Jewish masses. Buy and spread the Shekel.”