Louis Lipsky, vice-president of the American Jewish Congress and only American member of the World Zionist Executive, today warned that the Palestine cause and defense of German Jews would be jeopardized by the proposed World Jewish Congress.
Speaking before several hundred delegates attending the semiannual conference of the Seaboard Zionist Region here, Lipsky declared that a World Jewish Congress is not essential to protect the rights of Jewish minorities in various countries.
The function of such a gathering, which is being planned for the Summer of 1935, Lipsky said could be performed as well by the creation of a central executive committee located at Geneva to cooperate with the League of Nations.
WOULD BRING CONFLICT
“Under the heading of World Jewish Congress,” he declared, “a conflict is imminent in American Jewry which is bound to damage our position in America if the question involved is not dealt with resolutely and dispassionately by responsible Jewish groups. The American Jewish Congress proposes the convening of a World Jewish Congress in the Summer of 1935 and the American Jewish Committee, supported by the Independent Order B’nai B’rith, is opposing it.
Pointing out that there is no important difference of opinion either in principle or purpose between opposing factions, Lipsky called upon leaders of American Jewry to “be big enough to overcome their prejudices and to find some way to cooperate in Jewish service. Steps should be taken at once, at any rate, to mitigate the campaign of reciprocal abuse which is now going on.”
ACCORD NOW AT PEAK
“Contrary to the general impression,” he continued, “there never was greater accord and cooperation among Jews than prevails today. The differences in principle that raged in years past about Zionism are today fairly adjusted in the practical work for the building of the Jewish National Home in Palestine through the extended Jewish Agency, which is recognized as an international Jewish body in the Palestine Mandate.”
Mr. Lipsky concluded with a suggestion that the American Jewish Committee, B’nai B’rith and the American Jewish Committee hold a conference to establish maximum cooperation and thus avoid “a conflict which will destroy, if allowed to continue, all that has thus far been achieved in the way of cooperation in the upbuilding of Palestine as the Homeland and in the measures to aid the Jewish victims of the Nazi government.”
Attending the conference at which Lipsky was the guest of honor were Zionist representatives from Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
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.
