A division of opinion was seen today in Palestine with regard to the ultimatum made by Vladimir Jabotinsky, Revisionist leader, who demanded that the Actions Committee, now in session here, call a round-table conference of representatives of all Zionist groups as the only means left of bringing unity into Zionist ranks.
While Rabbi Meier Berlin, leader of the Mizrachi, favored convocation of such a conference, the Davar, official Laborite organ, stated that the Laborites will definitely reject any such proposal.
GENERAL ZIONIST VIEW
The General Zionist leaders took the attitude today that the question of convoking a round-table conference can be recommended to the Zionist Executive for decision, but that it may not be decided upon by the Actions Committee. Dr. Schwartzbard, president of the World Organization of General Zionists, predicted that the change in the text of the Shekel, which will eliminate Revisionists from participating in the next World Zionist Congress, will be approved by a small majority of the Actions Committee.
In a statement to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Rabbi Berlin expressed his dissatisfaction with the fact that the Shekel question has been put on the agenda of the Actions Committee session.
“I cannot understand why this question is to be brought up at the session, unless it is intended to irritate the delegates and to occupy their minds with futilities instead of concentrating on vital necessities,” Rabbi Berlin said. “Actually the question of discipline within the Zionist Organization is an old law of the Zionist Congress, but relatively few of the decisions of the Congress have not been carried out by the Zionist Executive,” he added.
Rabbi Berlin warned against a split in the Zionist ranks. “Woe, if the days of the last Zionist Congress in Praha return,” he exclaimed.
Touching upon the proposal of convoking a round-table conference, Rabbi Berlin said that “good results from such a conference can be expected only from a joint meeting of all groups, but the Zionist Executive prefers to separate the peace negotiations. Therefore, they are bound to remain without any results.”
The Davar, in rejecting the proposal for a round-table conference says editorially that the Zionist Organization and the Actions Committee will not yield to Jabotinsky’s ultimatum and will not take a step which would mean suicide for the Jewish State.
“All Zionists must appreciate our persistence for full discipline in the Zionist Party, and this will be the main point of discussion at the Actions Committee,” the Davar writes.
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.
