Sir Isaac Alfred Isaacs, first native-born Governor-General of Australia, who held the post from 1931 to 1936, died here early today at the age of 92.
Born near here, the son of a poor Jewish tailor, Sir Isaac was the only surviving member of the federal Convention of l897 which framed the Australian Constitutions. He held numerous high posts in the government and at one time served as Attorney-General, Justice of the High Court and was a member of Parliament for many years.
News of his death was “broadcast over the national radio networks, and high tribute was paid him by Premier Joseph Chifley and Herbert V. Evatt, Minister for External Affairs. The government announced that it was arranging swift air passage for Rabbi Jacob Danglow, who is now in New Zealand, to return here to officiate at the funeral, in accordance with Sir Isaac’s last wishes. A state funeral will be held for him on Friday.
Sir Isaac was a strong opponent of political Zionism. Last October he told a meeting that although he supported “religious and cultural Zionism,” he was “constrained by a sense of duty to the Empire” from following the lead of the “political Zionists.” He believed that neither the Arab nor the Jewish claims in Palestine were valid, and expressed the hope that the two peoples would set up a joint legislative and administrative body, with Britain serving as arbiter and protector.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
