Silver Says Convention Action Will Be Welcomed by All Americans

Dr. Abba Hillel Silver, chairman of the Executive Committee of the American Zionist Emergency Council, today hailed with deep satisfaction the inclusion in the Democratic Party’s platform of a plank on Palestine. Dr. Silver said.

“The whole-hearted endorsement by the Democratic Party at its convention in Chicago of the rights of the Jewish people to unrestricted immigration and land acquisition in Palestine — rights which have been denied by the current White Paper policy of the Mandatory – and the recognition of the historic aspiration of our people to build in Palestine a free and democratic Jewish Commonwealth, is an act of greatest political significance and statesmanship. It will be warmly welcomed by all sections of the American people which have always manifested profound sympathy for the efforts of the Jewish people to re-build their national life in their ancient home. It will be especially welcomed by the Jews of America who will be greatly heartened by this magnificent expression of friendship and helpfulness at a time of deep crisis and tragedy for Israel.

“The Democratic Party, under the leadership of Franklin D. Roosevelt, now reaffirms its loyal support of the Zionist movement which more than a quarter of a century ago was so eloquently championed by another great Democratic President, Woodrow Wilson. The action of the Democratic Party following the similar notable action of the Republican Party at its convention in Chicago last month, now puts both major parties squarely behind the ideal of a Jewish Palestine. It is now the declared purpose not of one political party or another but of the entire American people which has come to regard this constructive solution of the basic Jewish problem in the world today as one of the important objectives of a just world peace which is to follow this war.”