Zionist Actions Committee Discusses Resignations of Silver, Neumann from Jewish Agency

A motion calling on the Zionist Actions. Committee not to accept the resignations of Dr. Abba Hillel Silver and Dr. Emanuel Neumann from the Jewish Agency executive was introduced today at a session of the Committee here by I. Serlin, representative of the World Confederation of General Zionists. The motion urged the Actions Committee–supreme ruling today of the world Zionist movement between sessions of the World Zionist Congress–to cable Drs. Silver and Neumann “to resume their work.”

Dr. Nahum Goldmann, acting chairman of the American section of the Agency, said that Serlin’s motion had not been discussed or decided on by the General Zionists. Rabbi J. Neufeld, of Mizrachi, who presided today, ruled that the motion would be discussed after completion of a general debate.

Speaking for Mapam, J. Hazan declared that his party “never fought Silver’s battles. Nevertheless, priority should be demanded for Zionism and Zionists, because key positions handed over to those (engaged) only in money collections will be a dangerous move,” he said.

First speaker in the general debate was Rabbi Max Kirshblum, of the Mizrachi Organization of America, who warned against changes in the Zionist Organization. ‘Those who recently Joined the Zionists’ ranks were welcomed, but the Zionist movement cannot rely on them,” he warned, adding that “they may jump off the cart in the first crisis, whereas Zionist leaders will not desert.” He said that “wishful-thinking Zionists persuaded non-Zionists to demand greater rights.”

Mrs. Rose Halprin, of Hadassah, described the changes in the American Jewish community during the last few years, as well as American Jewry’s response to everything occurring in Palestine. It would be a grave mistake, she asserted, to create divergencies in the Zionist movement. She also demanded strengthening of the movement in the U.S.