A plea to “bring harmony out of chaos” in the Joint Distribution Committee-Zionist controversy, and make possible the cooperation of all factions of American Jewry in the Palestine rebuilding work, was made by Samuel Untermyer, president of the Keren Hayesod, in a letter to Mr. Horman Bernstein, editor of the “Jewish Tribune.”
The communication was in reply to an editorial by Mr. Bernstein on the subject, entitled “Danger Ahead.”
“Whilst it is an eloquent and dispassionate resume of the situation,” Mr. Untermyer writes, “perhaps I may be permitted to say that it omits one element which is to me almost as important as the reasons you have set forth why the Jews of the world should strain every nerve toward the success of the colossal work of establishing a Homeland in Palestine:
“When the British mandate for Palestine was under consideration by the Allies and when the phraseology of that Mandate was framed and the Jews of the world gratefully accepted that decision, we deliberately assumed a responsibility that cannot be evaded. Although the Jews are in number only a fraction of the people in the civilized world, their power and influence greatly exceed their proportion of the population. Their combined wealth leaves no room for the argument that they are unable to meet the obligations solemnly assumed in their name. If the colonization of Palestine does not go forward as expected of us we should rightfully be disgraced in the eyes of the civilized world. The honor and dignity of our race is at stake. We dare not fail. Apart from all other considerations, every self-respecting Jew who loves his people is in duty bound to prevent such a catastrophe.
“I am not among those who share the view that the United Jewish Campaign in aid of the Russian colonization scheme is in any way hurting the Palestinian movement or that there is or should be the slightest antagonism or competition between the two movements. We are sufficiently rich, powerful, and I hope generous, to be able to support both movements, and to bring both of them to the point of success. The controversy outlined by Messrs. Neumann and Brown is one for which there is no occasion and which should never have occurred. There is no reason why the two should not work harmoniously together. Notwithstanding the unnecessary acrimony that has arisen it is not too late to bring harmony out of chaos. The two movements should and do logically supplement each other, and every effort should be directed toward restoring harmony and establishing a basis of reciprocal friendship and support.
“In assuming the Presidency of the Keren Hayesod I left no doubt as to my position on the subject of World Zionism. Whilst an enthusiastic supporter of the establishment of a Homeland in Palestine, and anxious to see the work of colonization pressed to the utmost limit in that direction, I differ from many of my good friends who are interested in the Palestine movement. I am opposed to all this vague talk about a “Jewish State,” which is no part of the program relating to Palestine. Political Zionism died when the Mandate was granted and World Zionism accepted its share of the responsibility for the carrying out of the Mandate,” he stated.
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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.
