Roumanian Zionist Organization Not Political Party, Declares Its President, Telling of Dissension in

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“The Zionist Organization in Roumania is no political party and does not interfere in the political life of the country.” This statement was made by A. Bernard, president of the Zionist Organization of Roumania, in an interview with a representative of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

“The political interests of the Jewish population of Roumania are protected on the one hand by the Union of Roumanian Jews, and on the other hand by the recently organized ‘National Club.’ In this ‘National Club’ there are naturally many Zionists. On the other hand there are also non-Zionists in it, while some Zionists stay outside. The ‘National Club’ is of the opinion that the Jews in Roumania are an ethnic minority and regards it as its duty to protect the rights that were guaranteed to the Jews of Roumania in the peace treaties. The ‘Union of Roumanian Jews’ which has accomplished much in the fight for the equality of the Roumanian Jews, takes no special stand on the national demands of the Roumanian Jews. It avoids this question. At the recent congress of the ‘Union’ it refused to proclaim the Jews of Roumania as an ethnic minority. But in the program which the Union adopted at this congress there was a clause which stated that the Union adopted at this congress there was a clause which stated that the Union should fight not only for the rights guaranteed Roumanian Jews in the laws and constitution, but also for those guaranteed them in the peace treaties. Thus the Union has virtually included in its program the demand for minority rights.

“Its differences with the Jewish ‘National Club’ originated from the fact that the Union declines to draw the necessary consequences from the relations which exist in those provinces which Roumania acquired as a result of the war. While Old Roumania is a country with a homogeneous population, these provinces are ‘nationality countries,’ so to speak. The Jews live among Russians and Roumanians in Bessarabia, among Hungarians and Roumanians in Siebenburgen. One cannot demand of the Jews, who only yesterday were still Hungarians, that they should change overnight into Roumanians. If they declare themselves Magyars, they earn the hatred of the Roumanian population. If they join the Roumanians, they make enemies of the Magyars; in whose midst they live and on whom they are very much dependent economically. A neutral policy is here absolutely necessary, aye, a question of life and death. They must there declare themselves to be that which they are-Jews, and decline to participate in the strife between nationalities.

“The Union has no proper comprehension of these circumstances in the new provinces. It hasn’t directed its policies in accordance with this new situation. One mustn’t overlook the fact that the enlarged Roumania has brought within the borders of the country a new and large Jewish population, that new powers have naturally entered the political arena and that the Union cannot maintain a monopoly over Jewish policies in Roumania. I believe that an understanding between the Union and the Jewish ‘National Club’ is possible. The main differences are by no means so sharp as to prevent a joint program from being adopted. It is more psychological differences which stand in the way of unity. A group which for decades has had sole control is seldom willing to share leadership with others. But that is a necessity and unavoidable consequence of the new conditions created by the war. It is my sincere wish to see unity again established in Roumanian Jewry. We cannot afford the luxury of quarreling amongst ourselves. We haven’t too many able, efficient and energetic personalities. The mutual bitterness which the quarrels naturally arouse, the weakening of the Jewish position which they bring, the waste of energy which might better be used for constructive purposes-all this ought to be prevented in the interests of the Jewish people in Roumania.

“Both sides have gone too far in this fight, which has led to personal attacks, which is extremely unfortunate.

“I believe also that unity is easy, because in questions of political tactics there are no important differences. The leaders of the Union declare that the existence of a Jewish political party in Roumania is not desirable. But actually the Union itself is not a party. It does not, like Jewish organizations in America, stand aloof from any participation in political campaigns. On the contrary, just like the ‘Jewish National Club’ it deals with political parties, conducts a lively propaganda during the campaigns and asks the Jewish citizens to vote for a definite party. That the Union thus constitutes a party in itself no one can deny. To be sure it allows its members to join the existing general parties. But that is a contradiction which (Continued on Page 8)

serves to weaken the political influence of the Union and sooner or later must lead to conflicts. The Union too will some day be forced to decide definitely whether or not it is a neutral or political organization, whether it declines to exert an influence over the political orientation of its members or whether it wishes to conduct group politics.

“As I have said at the beginning, the Zionist Organization as such takes no part in the political life of the country. Only in one respect do we wish to influence the march of developments: the education of youth. In this connection we have petitioned the government and sought to influence it. The education of the young in a nationalistic Jewish spirit is indispensable for the continued life of Zionism. Should we lose the next generation, the movement loses its basis.

“Eternal watchfulness, diligent activity, concentration of all efforts in this direction, is the natural duty of the Zionist Organization, if it wishes to guard its future. Our activity in this direction does not by any means signify participation in the struggles of political parties.

“I have tried to describe objectively the differences of opinion that exist in my country, so that the Jewish public abroad may get a clear picture of the situation here, and hope that my conclusions will contribute to an understanding of the situation.”

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