Dr. Chaim Weizmann, president of the World Zionist Organization, will again approach the Churchill Government with the project of forming a sizable Jewish military force to fight by the side of Great Britain against Nazi Germany, it was revealed here today by the Emergency Committee for Zionist Affairs.
The Committee issued a statement which Dr. Weizmann prepared for publication before he flew from the United States to London on Wednesday. The Zionist leader stated that he was hopeful that the obstacles barring the organization of a Jewish army “will be finally eliminated.”
“Since my arrival in this country,” Dr. Weizmann said in his statement, “the British and Free French forces have, with the participation – I am proud to say – of some of our Jewish lads from Palestine, completed that conquest of Syria. The occupation of that country will no doubt be of great help in eliminating the Nazi menace from the whole Middle East. It is also likely to have an important bearing on the future of Palestine where we look forward eventually to the establishment of a Jewish Commonwealth that will be a haven of refuge and home, and where, further, the Jewish people, eager to pour into Palestine its energy and skill, may be enabled to raise the level of civilized life not only for the inhabitants of Palestine but also for those of the entire Middle East. Jewish work in Palestine has in large measure already had this effect.
“The final victory of the forces of freedom, which will bring a better world for Arabs and Jews and all other peoples, may come soon or late, but come it will. The Jewish people, and the Jews of Palestine in particular, are anxious to contribute their share of sweat, blood and toil to this victory. They wish to make this contribution not only as individuals, something they are already doing in every army of the forces of freedom, but as a Jewish contingent representing their people, as do the armies of Free France, Free Norway and Free Poland.
“Soon after the outbreak of the war the Jewish community of Palestine offered to bring such a military force into existence. Several Jewish units have already been serving on many of the fronts, but still greater numbers are available. On my return to London I expect to resume discussions with his Majesty’s Government on this question, and I am hopeful that whatever obstacles may still exist in realizing this plan will be finally eliminated.”
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