All Jewish groups were urged today by the closing session of the national convention of the American Jewish Congress not to enter into any negotiations concerning a permanent solution of the Palestine problem until the Anglo-American Committee’s recommendation that 100,000 displaced European Jews be moved there immediately is carried out.
A resolution adopted by the several hundred assembled delegates also reaffirmed the Congress’ “dedication to the Zionist ideal and the rebuilding of Palestine as a Jewish commonwealth.” It denied that a Jewish state would mean domination of the Arabs.
Calling for the dissolution of all displaced persons camps in Europe, the convention resolved to “take all possible steps for the rehabilitation of Europe’s Jews” and demanded further that “the doors of all other countries be opened to the victims of Nazi oppression who wish to emigrate from their lands of origin.” The United States was asked to relax its present immigration quotas for a period of two years and to permit the immediate entrance into the United States of “all such unfortunate stateless persons who definitely possess the qualifications for American citizenship.”
Citing recent reports that American troops stationed in former enemy countries have been “seriously influenced by Nazi and fascist propaganda and inoculated with the deadly germs of prejudice,” the convention called for “a more effective system of orientation and educational training of these members of the armed forces.”
DELEGATES BACK FIGHT ON RACIAL AND RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION
The delegates pledged support to the program against racial and religious discrimination conducted by the Congress’ Commission on Law and Social Action. They called on the American Jewish Congress to “intensify its activities to the end that no educational institution in this country shall any longer be allowed to discriminate against any person because of his race, color or creed,” and endorsed the action of the organization in preparing a model bill which would provide “adequate administration procedure for removing the tax privileges of educational institutions guilty of discrimination and which would permit civic organizations to take action leading to the revocation of these privileges.”
The convention further urged all American governmental agencies to take necessary steps toward the eradication of racial and religious discrimination and condemned the granting of public funds “to any group or agency which pursues a policy of discrimination because of race, creed or color.”
OPPOSE LAWS CURBING LABOR’S RIGHTS; BACK UNITED NATIONS UNITY
The convention opposed legislation curbing the rights of labor, which it said was “one of the major allies of minority groups in the struggle for the recognition and protection of their rights;” called for Big Four and United Nations unity and pledged cooperation with democratic veterans organizations.
Other resolutions greeted the Polish-Jewish delegation headed by Dr. Emil Sommerstein, which is now in this country; commended the Polish Government for its efforts at combatting anti-Semitism; voted to expand both its program under which American Jews “adopt” war orphans and destitute Jewish children in Europe and its Office of Jewish Information and decided to organize youth chapters throughout the country.
Speaking at a public session of the convention last night, James G. McDonald, member of the Anglo-American inquiry committee, termed the delay in the admission of 100,000 Jews to Palestine “a threat to the security and peace of the world.” Describing the problem of the displaced persons in Europe as “one of the most acute sources of tension in that troubled continent,” Mr. McDonald told the meeting that it could be “most quickly and effectively relieved by the immediate admission of 100,000 to Palestine.” He declared that “by their delay the Governments of Great Britain and the United States are failing not only to ease the plight of the Jewish people, but to make a significant and important contribution towards easing the general tension in which the world finds itself today.”
Dr. Emil Sommerstein, who also spoke last night, said although the Polish Government was combatting anti-Semitism vigorously, by invoking the death penalty against all who commit acts of violence against Jews, six years of Nazi occupation have left deep marks on the attitude of the Polish population. “The daily murders of Jews within the sight of the whole Polish population led some less enlightened sections,” he said, “to believe that Jewish life was completely worthless and may be destroyed with impunity.” Dr. Sommerstein attacked the “centers of Polish reaction abroad,” and specifically mentioned the staff of General Anders as the instigators of anti-Semitic violence through terrorist bands that roam the country.
As its final business today, the convention elected the following officers; Dr. Stephen S. Wise, president; Rabbi Irving Miller, chairman of the executive committee; Simon E. Sobeloff of Baltimore, chairman of the administrative committee; Max Bressler of Chicago, chairman of the council on organization and finance; Dr. Alfred J. Marrow of New York, treasurer, and nine vice-presidents.
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.
