In a final session marked by almost complete unity, the Zionist Actions Committee concluded its current meeting at 3 a.m. this morning, after adopting, with slight modifications, the resolution welcoming the UNSCOP report recommended yesterday by the executive, and a series of other resolutions covering internal and international aspects of the Palestine question.
The vote on the UNSCOP resolution was 51 to 16. A joint opposition resolution calling for a free, unified Palestine after a transition period under U.N. trusteeship, which was proposed by the Hashomer Hatzair and the Achduth Avodah, received the votes, while a Revisionist resolution opposing partition received seven votes, after one of the 51 majority switched his vote.
The only major difference of opinion at the closing session developed around the resolution on political prisoners. The Ichud Poale Zion (Labor coalition), the ?duth Avodah and the Hashomer Hatzair supported a statement calling on the Palestine Government to release political prisoners. The General Zionists, the Mizrachi and the Revisionists backed a resolution including specific mention of the Revisionist leaders arrested last month and the suppression of the Revisionist youth organization, Betar. The first resolution won 34 to 32 with two Mizrachi and one ##assah delegate abstaining.
The resolution reads: “The General Council (Actions Committee) adopts the resolution of the Vaad Leumi and the Kinus Hayishuv (Palestine-wide Jewish conference) protesting arrests without trial and demands the release immediately of the mayors, members of the Actions Committee and all political prisoners who are being certained without trial.”
POLITICAL ADVISORY BODY TO SIT IN NEW YORK DURING ASSEMBLY SESSION
A resolution enlarging the political advisory commission to 17 was also passed almost unanimously. The commission will include five General Zionists, four from Jehud Poale Zion, three from the Mizrachi, two Revisionists and one each from the ?homer Hatzair, the Achduth Avodah and the Aliya Hadasha. It is expected to meet in New York at the beginning of the discussion on Palestine by the General Assembly and remain in existence until the next session of the Actions Committee is held, a month after the Assembly’s decision is made.
The session also adopted the following resolution on the situation in Palestine: “In the past months we have witnessed a growing deterioration of the Palestine situation, coupled with a regime of repression and terrorization of the Jewish ?ulation of the country by the Mandatory. Palestine has become a police state are civil liberties are ruthlessly suppressed. No individual is any longer se? in his personal and elementary rights. Punitive measures have been adopted ?inst whole communities which are in no way responsible.
“The economy of the country is being systematically weakened and impaired, ?el deportations are being carried out of thousands of innocent men, women and children whose only offense is an attempt to find refuge in their National Home. ## stand aghast at these assaults on the safety, well-being and liberty of the ?thuv and express the determination of the Zionist movement all over the world extend our encouragement and assistance in the struggle against the regime.”
BEN GURION HAILS UNITY DEMONSTRATED AT ZURICH MEETING
In a closing address, David Ben Gurion, chairman of the executive, said that the meeting had demonstrated that there was true unity and understanding among all groups in the Zionist movement. He declared that the delegates were leaving Zurich ? united than when they came. He hailed the coalition among the Laborites, the General Zionists and the Mizrachi, the value of which, he said, was demonstrated by their agreement on the UNSCOP resolution.
He warned that there were still dangers ahead, but pledged that the executive would do its utmost to obtain a final settlement of the Palestine problem in accordance with the mandate given it by the Actions Committee. He called on the entire movement to stand behind the leadership and to implement the Action Committee’s decisions.
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.
