Three Russian Zionists Freed from Prison Through Efforts of U.S. Zionist Organization

Three Russian Jews, condemned to prison terms for spreading Zionist educational material, have been freed and certificates given them for emigrating to Palestine, as a result of the efforts of the Zionist Organization of America, according to a report made by Robert Szold, chairman of the Administration.

Two of the Russian Zionists lived in Moscow and one in Poltava. All three were given prison sentences of three years on the ground of having conducted “counter-revolutionary activities.” It was revealed, however, that the Jew in Poltava had sold stamps of the Jewish National Fund, the agency which purchases land in Palestine as the national property of the Jewish people. The two Moscow Jews had been engaged in giving information about the aims and purposes of the Zionist movement.

American relatives of the condemned Russian Jews communicated the facts to the Palestine Department of the Zionist Organization of America, which thereupon applied to the Palestine Government for immigration certificates for the condemned. As a result of a special arrangement which exists between the Zionist Organization and the Palestine Government, Russian Zionists who are imprisoned for their Zionist activities may obtain Palestine immigration certificates. Upon intercession with the Russian authorities, the three Jews were freed on condition that they would leave for Palestine. The certificates have already been forwarded from Palestine and are to be handed out in Moscow by the British consul there. The condemned will be able to leave the country with their families.

Mr. Szold also announced that eight more applications for certificates for imprisoned Russian Zionists have been made to the Palestine Government.