Consolidation of the work done so far in Palestine and proceeding with the reorganization of the administration of affairs in Palestine is the outstanding need of the hour in the opinion of Jean Fischer, Belgian Zionist leader and director of the Jewish Colonial Trust, who is now in the United States. Mr. Fischer, who has been a member of the Zionist Actions Committee for the past twenty years and has given substantial sums for Palestine, has come to the United States at the request of Dr. Chaim Weizmann in the interest of various Palestine financial projects. He was an intimate associate of Dr. Max Nordau and Theodor Herzl and is well known as an exponent of political Zionism.
In an interview with the representative of the “Jewish Daily Bulletin”, Mr. Fischer, who is a leading personality at Zionist Congresses, summarized his impressions of America and American Jewish life and outlined a program of work for the Zionist movement.
“I was in Palestine several months ago and observed things there at close range,” Mr. Fischer stated. “It is absolutely necessary that all that has been created in Palestine up to now be consolidated in order that the reconstruction work may be continued on a sound basis. The upbuilding of a Jewish Palestine requires financial means other than that which Jewry has given for that purpose until now. Palestine should not be considered a small philanthropic affair of secondary importance, but as a great problem,” Mr. Fischer declared.
“We must, first of all,” he continued, “proceed in the direction of a reorganization in our administration with the principle in view that just because of the difficult economic conditions, the best possible administration is necessary.
“The Arabs are growing accustomed to us and to our national aspirations. A peaceful cooperation with the Arabs is entirely possible and must consistently be striven for. We are active in all fields in Palestine and small though it may appear, particularly in America, we have created something. Necessity, the great teacher, has together with Jewish idealism produced in Palestine a complete Jewish work. We have at our disposal an army of willing workers. It would remain a puzzle for history if the Jewish people would not make use of these favorable circumstances.
I am confident that the near future will see a three-fold development along the following lines: first, progress in American Jewry; second. progress in the reconstruction of the Jewish Palestine; third, progress on the road toward unity in Israel.” he stated.
Commenting on his impressions of America, Mr. Fischer, who has visited several American cities, spoke enthusiastically of America and American Jews. “I was surprised to see how young America is,” he said. “In this youth lie unusual possibilities for the future. One feels here among the people a tremendous power for expansion which has no precedent nor equal. Here is an illustration of what conditions can make of men. Certainly, there is something which, if a European scale is applied, could be criticized. But where in the world does one find perfection? In the Jews of America, I observe unusual possibilities. Also, the Jews of America possess an unconquerable expansion power and youth which is as childish as it is astounding, developed by a branch of the suppressed ghetto Jewry of Europe. The gates of the United States are now closed. What this will signify for our people, no one can undertake to predict. There is one outstanding feature of American Jewry which deserves comment and praise. American Jews have an inspiring readiness to stand by Jews in need wherever they may be. Great deeds for entire Jewry can be accomplished on the foundation of this readiness. It is natural for the greatest demands to be made to the financially strongest group of Jewry. A growing understanding for the continuous Jewish problem is developing among American Jews. American Jews will also recognize that from their contact with Jews abroad, which is growing all the time, they will benefit much more than they help.
“I admit that here in America it is not easy. I believe, however, that in this great and rich country, the understanding will come of what significance small Palestine has for Jewry,” Mr. Fischer declared.
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.
