Our Daily News Letter

(By Our Berlin Correspondent)

The opposition to Zionism by the Central Union of German Citizens of the Jewish Faith (Central Verein Deutscher Staatsbuerger Juedischen Glaubens), on the ground that Zionism is based on the principle of finding a constructive national solution to the Jewish problem rather than on the idea of philanthropic work, was reiterated by that organization at its biennial conference which has just been concluded here. It appeared, however, that a dissension has developed among the leaders of the Central Verein on the question of participating in the work for the Keren Hayesod. The fact that such leading figures as Rabbi Dr. Baeck, Dr. Felix Goldman, Dr. Foerder, and State Councillor Dr. Cohn have been actively helping the Keren Hayesod in Germany caused the subject to be brought up shortly after the first session was opened on March 7.

Dr. Hollaender, the director of the Central Union, in the course of his report to the conference, declared: “We do not desire an international solution of the Jewish question. For us the solution must be on German soil. In so far as Zionism is seeking to create a national home in Palestine for the persecuted Jews of the East, we will not enter into opposition to it. Such Zionism is welcome. But that Zionism and those Zionists who deny German feeling we oppose. So far as the relations towards the Keren Hayesod are concerned, it is open to the members to contribute or not to contribute to the Keren Hayesod. But a campaign of members of the Central Union for the Keren Hayesod could not be permitted.”

At this point a resolution was introduced. The first part expressed approval of the policy of the Central Board. The second part formulated the attitude of the Central Union towards the Keren Hayesod. The conference, this part of the resolution said, stands on the basis of the resolution adopted by the conference of April 8, 1921, which declares that: “Were the settlement of Palestine no more than a big social relief work, there would, from the point of view of the Central Union, be nothing to say against the promotion of this work.

“The settlement of Palestine, however, is primarily the aim of national Jewish policy, and its advancement and support must therefore be rejected.”

A lively discussion followed. State Councillor Dr. Cohn said that it was clear that work for the Keren Hayesod and for the upbuilding of Palestine was impossible without holding the national point of view. It was wrong, however, to pass Palestine by because it was mainly the Zionists who were carrying on the upbuilding work. “I would wish,” he said, “that the Zionists were not the people who set the tone in the Palestine work. But Palestine is a matter for all Jews. It is a part of the religious life of all Jews. No one dare take upon himself the responsibility to hinder the Palestine work. The movement is being driven on as by an inner fire.”

Councillor of Justice Dr. Wolff proposed that the second part of the resolution should not be put to the vote because the question of the Keren Hayesod and Palestine had not been sufficiently discussed. They could not prohibit people like Rabbi Dr. Baeck, Dr. Felix Goldmann or State Councillor Dr. Cohn from working for the Keren Hayesod. What was allowed to these leaders must also be allowed to the rank and file. “I also,” he said, “belonged to the opponents of the Keren Hayesod. But I have become convinced that it is possible to work for Palestine even when the Zionists are in the work.” Herr Sussmann said that the part of the resolution which dealt with the Keren Hayesod did not go far enough. He desired that it should be strengthened so that all members of the Central Union should be warned against supporting the Keren Hayesod in any way.

The leader of the Keren Hayesod supporters in the Central Union, Dr. Foerder, was to have been the next speaker. A resolution was, however, adopted at this point limiting all further speakers to five minutes. Dr. Foerder protested, declaring that he could not reply in five minutes to all the arguments which had been used against the Keren Hayesod. The Keren Hayesod, he said, was a religious matter. If they departed from this basis they departed from the whole basis of the work of Eugen Fuchs which should unite all German Jews.

As a result of the discussion the resolution was passed, 18 voting against.