The first message to be addressed to American Jews by Dr. Chaim Weizmann, President of the World Zionist Organization since the beginning of the riots in Palestine, was received today by the Zionist Organization of America in the form of a cablegram from London, where Dr. Weizmann is now conducting political negotiations with the British Government. In the cablegram, which was made public by Emanuel Neumann, Chairman of the Zionist Committee on Public Information, Dr. Weizmann assures American Jewry that the British Government is “fully alive to its responsibilities under the Mandate” and that Zionist views on recent events in Palestine will be sympathetically considered.
The attempt to destroy the foundations of the Jewish National Home will only strengthen the Jewish resolve to continue with the work, states Dr. Weizmann, declaring that the answer to Arab attacks must be made in the form of increased Jewish immigration into Palestine. The most immediate duty is to the victims of the outbreak, the Zionist leader continues, but the regular constructive work must not be interrupted.
Dr. Weizmann’s cable reads as follows:
“The Jews of Palestine in their hour of anguish have displayed a steadfast courage which has evoked a universal admiration. It is for us to show that we stand firmly behind them and to demonstrate to the world that the attempt to destroy by violence the foundations of the Jewish National Home will only strengthen our unshakeable resolve to continue the work of reconstruction with still greater determination and energy. Our answer to these attacks must be an immediate resumption of immigration on the largest possible scale and a quickening of the pace in all branches of our constructive work in Palestine.
“Whatever the shortcomings of the Palestine Administration there can be no doubt as to the good will of the British Government and as to its firm determination to deal with the situation promptly and effectively. This is clearly shown by the vigorous measures it has taken for the restoration of order, by its emphatic reaffirmation of the policy of the Mandate and the Balfour Declaration, and by the announcement that the causes of the outbreak are to be immediately investigated by a Commission of Inquiry commanding confidence.
“After the conversations I have had with leading members of the Government I am in a position to say without hesitation that the Government is fully alive to its responsibilities under the Mandate and I believe it will not fail to draw the necessary inferences from recent events in Palestine. It will be our task at an early date to lay before the Government our views as to the measures required to insure the more (Continued on Page 8)
“I am sure that our views will be carefully and sympathetically considered. Meanwhile our first and most immediate duty is to the victims of the outbreak. Without in any way relieving the Palestine Administration of its liabilities both in the matter of relief and of compensation we are in honor bound to come promptly and generously to the assistance of our stricken brothers in Palestine. I feel sure that American Jewry, true to its traditions, will respond whole-heatedly to this appeal.
“Not less binding is the duty of insuring that our constructive work shall not be retarded by lack of funds. It would be a tragedy if our activities were crippled at a time when it is of the almost importance that they should suffer no interruption but should on the contrary be extended. Now is the time for us to show by deeds as well as by words that we have faith in ourselves and in the future of the Jewish National Home. I am confident that now as in the past American Jewry will prove equal to its responsibility.”
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.
