World Jewish Congress Proposes Establishment of Central Jewish Relief Body

Coordination of Jewish relief and rehabilitation activities by a central body composed of representatives of the Jewish Agency for Palestine, the Joint Distribution Committee, and the World Jewish Congress, was urged today at the War Emergency Conference of the World Jewish Congress.

The proposal, which is expected to precipitate a stormy discussion, may lead to a serious split in Jewish life since leaders of the Congress are aware of the fact that the JDC, which has been conducting relief work for thirty years, may reject their plan. They are also taking into consideration the fact that other central Jewish bodies which are opposed to the World Jewish Congress may fight the proposal.

It was revealed today, however, that the plan has already received the approval of the executive of the Jewish Agency, to which it was presented by Dr. Nahum Goldmann during his recent visit to Palestine. It was also indicated that Latin American Jewish communities are backing the project, and that the delegation from England is supporting it.

The Congress proposal provides that the central coordinating body shall not impinge on the rights of the participating agencies to conduct independent fundraising campaigns. It suggests, however, that the JDC activities should be limited to immediate relief and rehabilitation, while political work connected with the planning of relief and rehabilitation for Jews should be conducted by the World Jewish Congress and by the Jewish Agency, the latter to deal with problems concerning the rescue and transfer of Jews from Europe to Palestine.

SMALL JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS WILL BE SUPERVISED BY CENTRAL AGENCY

Smaller Jewish organizations dealing with rescue, reconstruction and emigration, such as the Hicem, the Ort, and others, would, under the proposed plan, have to conduct their work under the supervision of the central coordinating body. Thus, the central body would become the supreme Jewish organization directing the task of bringing devastated Jewish communities in Europe back to life, through coordinated relief, emigration, rehabilitation and other forms of assistance.

Leaders of the World Jewish Congress today indicated that should the JDC accept their proposal it will remain the sole Jewish organization conducting relief and rehabilitation work in all parts of the world except Palestine. However, should the JDC reject the scheme it was hinted that a new Jewish relief organization, competing with the JDC, may by established by the Congress with the backing of the Jewish Agency.

The World Jewish Congress also submitted to the conference today a project for the establishment of a Jewish Agency for Reconstruction, Reparations for property belonging to Jewish communities, organizations, funds, trusts and other public institutions which have ceased to exist or the property itself, would be transferred to this new body. The agency, or its national branches, would be internationally recognized as the sole heir of all property, rights and interests, wherever situated, belonging to Jewish families considered extinguished under the laws of their respective countries.

The project provides that the Jewish Agency for Reconstruction would be declared the representative ex officio of all Jewish claimants not present in the country where their property is located until such claimants return there for permanent residence, unless individual representatives have been appointed. Other provisions stipulate.

1. The JAR should be declared lawful representative of all missing Jews, or Jews temporarily prevented from presenting their claims, until they or their heirs are legally installed in their rights.

2. The JAR should be enabled to participate in any conference or assembly of the United Nations during which questions of compensation, restitution and reparation are discussed, as representative of the Jewish people in all matters affecting reconstruction and resettlement, and be recognized as such in dealing with the Axis powers and their satellites.

3. JAR should be empowered to use all the funds at its disposal for Jewish resettlement and reconstruction work of any kind.

4. The legislation of the countries concerned should be amended so as to make the implementation of these rules legal and mandatory.

URGE UNITED NATIONS TO SECURE COMMON LAWS ON PROPERTY RESTORATION

The World Jewish Congress urged the conference today to demand that a special United Nations organization be established for the purpose of securing the enactment of common rules for all countries concerning the restoration of Jewish property. The function of this organization would be. To take appropriate steps to effect the return of Jewish property which may be found in the territories of the United Nations and neutral countries; and to take immediate steps to restore available confiscated or transferred Jewish property to its rightful owners.

The Congress also suggested that wherever direct and full restoration is not possible just compensation should be provided for all Jewish losses; and that Axis nations and their satellites, as well as Axis nationals and the beneficiaries of Arynized property in occupied countries should be compelled to contribute to this indemnification. It also advanced the suggestion that in view of the unprecedented suffering of the Jewish people in Europe and the unique urgency of their needs, priority should be given to Jews by national and international agencies dealing with claims for reparations and compensation.

Pending a final settlement, the Congress recommends that there shall be constituted upon the conclusion of hostilities in Europe a special fund made up of currency reserves, commodities, or material and equipment belonging to the Axis nations, in order to procure for economically uprooted Jews the means for reestablishing them selves in occupations and professions, and in order to assist such Jews as desire to be settled elsewhere.

In the case of Jews either unable or unwilling to return to their former homelands, or place of residence, or desiring to emigrate therefrom, the Congress recommends that compensation for all losses should be paid to them in their new place of residence, notwithstanding any existing or forthcoming currency restrictions. To facilitate this transfer, it asks that appropriate measures be taken providing for the cooperation of international monetary and other institutions.

The Congress also recommended that the United Nations should create special tribunals to deal with claims against Axis nationals and their accomplices irrespective of their residence and location of their property.