while exports remain stationery.” This, he said, together with the other obstructive policies of the Mandatory Government, may lead to a catastrophe for the entire Jewish future.
WARNS MANDATORY
“Never since 1917 has the Jewish people been facing such a danger as now,” Jabotinsky declared. “If the present era of prosperity ends in a crash, we shall pay very heavily not only in economic losses but also politically. The Mandatory should be warned about it, because it must be aware of the fact that we shall blame her for it.”
Taking issue with the argument of the Palestine government that the principle of absorptive capacity must be observed, otherwise an excessive Jewish immigration will lead towards unemployment, Jabotinsky made a novel and interesting suggestion that unemployment insurance be introduced into Palestine by existing Jewish national institutions such as the Keren Hayesod and the Jewish National Fund.
“The creation of an unemployment insurance system with national capital will counteract the government’s argument about possible unemployment,” he stated.
OUTLINES OBLIGATIONS
Jabotinsky then outlined the obligations of a friendly mandatory power to the Jews and of the Jews to themselves. The demands to the mandatory were summarized as follows:
1. A land reserve for agricultural colonization following a geological survey of uncultivated land in Palestine and a loan for reclaiming land.
2. A similar survey in Transjordania.
3. Protection of Palestinian industry by tariffs and other measures.
4. Expenditure for the Jewish population of a sum of money proportionate to the amount it pays in taxes.
5. Maintenance of order with an adequate public force, including a Jewish contingent.
6. Postponement of introduction of a representative council until there is a Jewish majority.
JEWISH PEOPLE’S DUTIES
The duties of the Jewish people to themselves, as expressed by Jabotinsky, are:
1. To form a credit guarantee reserve for guaranteeing commercial loans to sound Jewish enterprises.
2. To provide cheap lodgings for industrial and agricultural workers.
3. To develop and utilize hidden water resources.
4. To introduce, partially, at least, unemployment insurance.
5. To assist agricultural workers to establish themselves as independent small-holders.
6. To support penetration of Palestinian goods on foreign markets. He urged an extensive “Buy Jewish” campaign.
7. To eliminate strikes and lockouts by substituting compulsory national arbitration.
ADVOCATES PROPAGANDA
Developing the point that the Jews owe themselves a duty in developing Palestine, Jabotinsky suggested a world-wide campaign of propaganda to “hypnotize” the Jews with the idea “Buy Jewish!” He expressed the hope that in time Jewish children will consider it a duty to purchase exercise books “Made in Palestine,” if possible.
Declaring that while colonization is going on, a state of truce must exist between capital and labor which will be maintained by compulsory arbitration, Jabotinsky said that after an economy is set up in Palestine, “class warfare may be the best way…. As long as there will be an employer class, there must be a conflict of interests.”
At the same time, he argued, “When you have got to deal with colonization, you must forget all these problems which have nothing to do with colonization.
A ‘NEW DEAL’
“Revisionism is,” he asserted, “an attempt at the gradual introduction of these ideal conditions which ought to have been adopted from the very beginning, both by the Mandatory in ‘revising’ its policy and by Zionist Jewry in ‘revising’ its methods.”
Terming Revisionism a “New Deal,” Jabotinsky told how the Revisionists are proceeding ‘by example’ in initiating in Palestine the National Labor Union, which, he said, rejects the idea of class war and insists on compulsory arbitration.
Another example which he cited is the Tel Hai Fund, a Revisionist fund which the speaker predicted “will become the dominating instrument influencing the upbuilding of Palestine.”
“Moral pressure” evidenced in a world-wide petition movement was outlined as another measure to help bring about the Jewish State in Palestine.
WON’T RELAX EFFORTS
Jabotinsky made it clear that he intends to widen his movement for submitting a petition to the Mandatory with millions of Jewish signatures demanding Palestine as a Jewish State. He also declared that the Revisionist representations to the Mandates Commission of the League of Nations will continue to be submitted until the desired results are achieved.
“We shall not take ‘NO’ for an answer!” he announced.
The speaker warned against exaggerating the state of the truce between the Jewish Agency and the Palestine High Commissioner. He suggested that the Jews should reserve judgment until they see how the High Commissioner acts to carry out his pet idea of establishing a Legislative Council.
WOULD WELCOME PEACE
Touching upon the subject of internal peace in the Zionist ranks, Jabotinsky said that only a round table of all Zionist groups, not just negotiations between the Revisionists and the Zionist Executive, can bring unity in the movement. He expressed the willingness of the Revisionists to cooperate for a united Zionist front and promised that “the Revisionist movement will be very generous in its concessions if we have identical aims and identical methods.”
“Otherwise,” he added, “each movement will go its own way!”
Jabotinsky severely criticized the Reform rabbis in America who came out with an endorsement of the Histadruth in Palestine. Social justice, he said, is not a matter on which the Histadruth has the monopoly in Palestine. Social justice is being preached there by every group, he declared.
GATHERING ORDERLY
A detail of thirty patrolmen was on hand to preserve order during Jabotinsky’s address, but the gathering passed quietly. A mixed chorus of young Revisionists saluted Jabotinsky with a Hebrew song, “Hail Jabotinsky,” dedicated to him. He was received with tremendous ovations.
Jacob de Haas, veteran Zionist, who presided, introduced Jabotinsky as the second Dr. Herzl.
“He who tries to build a Jewish State,” said Mr. De Haas, “must be prepared to suffer all the slings of fortune.
“Herzl’s lieutenant greets you, Jabotinsky!”
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.
