Jewish Commonwealth in Palestine is Demanded by Hadassah Convention

Support to President Roosevelt in his fight for democracy as well as aid to Zionist leaders in their effort to have Palestine established as a Jewish Commonwealth were pledged here today by the Hadassah at the opening session of its 27th annual convention, in a declaration which was accepted by all 1,500 delegates present. The declaration states:

“Hadassah’s hundred thousand senior and junior members give unwavering support to the principles and policies enunciated by President Roosevelt to help defeat the Nazi regime and lay the foundation for a free and better world. But a democratic world order must also concern itself with a just and adequate solution of the age-old Jewish problem. Such a program requires restitution of fundamental rights to all Jews as individuals everywhere and recognition of the rights of the Jewish people to freedom, soil and security in their own homeland. We recognize that Jewish homelessness and suffering will not disappear even after the Allied victory until the masses of Jews uprooted in the course of the terrible struggle are afforded an opportunity to reestablish themselves under guaranteed freedom in a land of their own.

“Solemnly we declare that a rapid resettlement and rehabilitation of these homeless masses would best be affected by the restitution of Palestine within historic boundaries as a Jewish homeland under conditions permitting its fullest development. We ask the leaders who are working for a free world to openly and publicly include the Jewish people amongst those who may look forward to moral and national restoration. We call upon them to affirm their belief in the establishment of Palestine as a Jewish Commonwealth as an integral essential part of the democratic world order.”

Addressing today’s session, Judge Louis E. Levinthal, President of the ZOA, pointedly asked cooperation of Zionists and non-Zionists in America. “Americans are the only spokesmen in behalf of millions of Jews silenced by Nazi terror,” he said. Rabbi Stephen S. Wise in an address noted England’s “omissions and commissions” regarding Palestine during recent years. He added that Zionists of course, join those who pledge all to safeguard Britain and ensure her earliest triumph. “We would be untrue to ourselves as Jews and Americans if we failed to say to the British Government that next to our reliance in our own country is our faith in Britain,” he said “After the first World War came the Balfour Declaration, after the second war, with Britain’s and our own country’s help, must come such amplification of the Declaration as shall set a seal of world recognition and approval upon the miraculous achievements of the half million Palestine pioneers.” Mrs. Pool in an address stated “there can be no retreat. We have but one goal – defeat Hitler.” A memorial tribute was paid to M.M. Ussishkin and Justice Louis D. Brandeis by Mrs. Edward Jacobs.