Page Two

Purely
Commentary

By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ

A CONSTRUCTIVE PROGRAM

THE JEWISH

NEWS

Labor Looks at Palestine

By R. J. THOMAS

President, UAW-C10

The death of Berl Katzenelson, veteran leader of the Palestine labor
movement and founder of the Palestinian labor daily, "Davar," focuses
attention once again on the land to which he devoted a lifetime and the
unique labor movement which he helped to build.
Over half a million Jews have made their homes in Palestine. Many
have come recently, as a result of Nazi persecution in Europe. How well
have
on
the
they been absorbed into the life of the country? Is there a glut lies the
Palestinian labor market? In the answer to these vital questions
clue to the future of European Jewish rehabilitation in Palestine. For without
the security of work and livelihood, all efforts to have the immigration-
the Open Door policy re-estab-
stifling White Paper of 1939 rescinded and
lished may well be in vain.
future world security, there is in
Fortunately for the Jews and for
Palestine one of the most constructive, advanced and unique labor federations •
in the world—the Histadruth, the General Jewish Federation of Labor.
But what makes the Histadruth unique is the fact that in Palestine the
general labor federation, created to advance the interests of the workers,
provide work for
operates an immigration office whose business it is to
incoming refugees.
Palestine's war effort is an amazing phenomenon. Remembering that
there are 550,000 Jews in Palestine, the following figures must be put down
on Palestine's ledger of/ achievement: By January of 1944, over 150,000 Jews
were engaged in helping the war effort. Of these, 30,000 were men and
women serving with British military, naval and security forces. Many more
had volunteered spontaneously when war came in September 1939. This
represents. six per cent of the .population, equivalent to a voluntary enlist-
ment of 8,000,000 Americans.
In the industrial sphere, the Histadruth has mobilized the entire coopera-
tive system of Jewish Palestine for wartime duty. In 1943, technicians and
laborers from construction cooperatives alone completed $40,000,000 worth
of military projects; working three shifts a day, Palestine's workers increased
the country's production by 274 per cent since 1941—its agricultural produce
by 50 per cent. Hundreds of new industries were created in order to increase
self-sufficiency and reduce the strain on wartime shipping facilities.
That is a fine record for a community which must support itself. It is
especially remarkable, in view of the White Paper threat which hangs over
Palestine and endangers the prospects for a Jewish commonwealth in Pales-
tine by banning the immigration of refugee Jews into the country.
American labor finds in Palestine not only a strong and vibrant labor
movement with a democratic social outlook, but the possibilities which that
movement provides for the stabilization of world economy through the solu-
tion of one of the world's most pressing problems—the problem of rehabilita-
tion for homeless Jews. Inasmuch as the lack of security elsewhere directly
affects our own prospects for security at home, it is to the interest of Ameri-
can workers that in Palestine there should be laid as speedily as possible
the foundations for a democratic Jewish commonwealth.

Friday, February 2, t945

Strictly
Confidential

By PHINEAS J. BIRON

(Copyright, 1945. Seven Arts Feature Syndicate);

YOU SHOULD KNOW
To the Institute of Jewish Affairs of
One of America's best-known labor
the American Jewish Congress and the
leaders will soon be proceeding to Eng-
World Jewish Congress should be given
land to commit British labor to an ag-
credit for one of the most constructive
gressive policy against the growth of
programs projected for the post-war era,
anti-Semitism.
preparation
for
the
peace
to
come.
in
A court martial of a naval medical of-
will
have
to
be
A great deal of study
ficer will make the headlines in the near
made to ascertain the Jewish position in
future . . . It will open up a number of
the war-torn world and to lead the
suppressed cases of anti-Semitism in
statesmen of the world to understand
naval and civilian medical circles.
the major needs in putting an end to
Charles Van Devander and William 0.
Jewish homelessness and in rehabilita-
Player, Jr., whose "Washington Memo" is
ting the hundreds of thousands who can
read in many cities, report that inside the
be rescued from the scourge of Nazism.
lobby of the Claypool Hotel, the hostelry
The Congress Institute, under the very
that houses the committee headquarters
able direction of Dr. Jacob Robinson, has
of the Indiana Republican Party, a liquor
undertaken the necessary studies, as is
store flaunts the following red, white and
proven by the series of volumes already
blue sign: "This establishment is 100 per
mem-
. produced by the very scholarly
cent American — Buy American.---Talk
bers of its staff.
AmeriCan=Act American." • " ' •
* * •
* *
"THE JEWISH REFUGEE"
ZIONIST NEWS
_It is not only because it is the most
Sir Clifford Heathcote-Smith, touring
extensive study-L–containing 660 pages—
Jewish refugee camps in Italy, promises
but also because it is exhaustive in its
these homeless people refuge in practical-
approach and is a brilliant presentation
ly any country--except Palestine.
that
we
mention
first
the
of the subject
Viscount Gort and Sir Edward Grigg,
volume "The Jewish Refugee," prepared
two gentlemen who advocate the main-
by two leaders of Jewish thought, Dr.
tenance of the White Paper, recently
Arieh Tartakower and Dr. Kurt R. Gross-
lunched with ,Dr. Weizmann in his Re-
man. By coincidence the two collaborated
hovoth home . . Did they discuss the
a
work
each
was
readying
for
the
in
limitation of Jewish immigration into
press. Their joint effort has resulted in
Palestine to 1,500 a month? . . . This
a magnificent evaluation of the subject.
limitation means that the White Paper,
This great volume is a factual and
far from being suspended for the dura-
complete study. It does not eliminate
tion, is very much in force.
anything. It touches upon the political
Rabbi A. Lelyvelt and the Rev. Rich-
and economic problems, reviews the
ard
Evans are touring California as an
plight of the refugee from every angle,
interfaith pro-Zionist speaking -team. -
contains the most important memoranda
Rabbi Abba H. Silver's supporters in
on the refugee problem that were pre-
New York have been trying in vain to
sented to international conferences, and
open an office for Zionist action , •
makes interesting proposals to solve the
There's absolutely, no office space to be
problem: '
gotten.
The authors urge the setting up of a
new international body on refugees with
By ARNOLD LEVIN
TaIS AND THAT
power to enforce its decisions, to conduct
(Copyright, 1945 Independent Jewish
By BORIS SMOLAR
Some years before the war Paul Claud-
press Service, Inc.)
the work of repatriation and colonization,
(Copyright, 1945, Jewish Telegraphic
el was the French ambassador to WaSh-
function
through
official
representa-
Agency,
Inc.)
to
ington . One 'of France's most distin-
NOTE FROM CANADA
tives of governments and to secure its
POLITICAL
TALK
finances from a new League of Nations,
We are told that the schism between guished Catholic laymen, he wrote vigor-
Zionist circles are very much perturbed the British Board of Jewish Deputies ous essays against anti-Semitism. But dur-
or all of the world's states.
ing the Nazi occupation of Paris his play
Formation of a World Jewish Repre-
over 'discussions on Palestine which are and the World Jewish Congress is now
sentation is advocated in approaching said to be going on quietly in Washing- bigger than ever, due to 'a speech by S. "Soulier de Satin" (The Satin Slipper)
was the rage of the theatrical season,,with
the Jewish problem, and it is proposed
S. Silverman, M. P. and a leader of the
. that refugees be given representation tOn between Oliver Stanley,„: British Congress' British section, delivered be- Gestapo dignitaries filling . the loges
Colonial Minister now .on a visit to this fore the sixth plenary session of the nightly ... How come?
on such an agency. The eminent author
recognize. the primacy of Palestine but country, and high V.'S. officials.. . . It is Canadian Jewish .Congress. Dr. Selig
admit that Jews will remain scattered . known that the British Minister 'came to Brodetsky, president of the board, was
throughout the world and maintain that
the United States with a suggestion most on the 'platform and resented Silverman's -
refugees have built the future and glory
heated remarks. The Canadian Jewish
dangerous to the Zionist cause . It Congress leaders were also unhappy
of many nations, and can do so again.
provides that the Allies PoStpone taking about Silverman, feeling that airing of
"The Jewish Refugee" was ably edited
by Maximilan Horowitz.
any definite steps towards solution of the an empire controversy at a Dominion ses-
By ROBERT LEVENSON
* * *
Palestine problem until a survey , is made sion was quite uncalled for . . Tem-
Almighty God, in deepest sincerity
"RACIAL STATE"
in liberated European countries for the perament, my dears, should be used with
and humility I render thanks to Thee
No less significant in the Institute of purpose of establishing the number of dexterity.
*
that I live here in a land of liberty
Jewish Affairs series of volumes is Ger-
surviving Jews there . . . This survey is
where I have freedom of speech, freedom
hard Jacoby's "Racial State: The Ger-
RESCUE MISSION
also to establish how many of the sur
of worship, freedom from want, and free-
man Nationalities -Policy in' the Protec-
viving Jews are ready and able to go
Dr.. Abraham Silberschein, of Switzer- dom from fear.
torate of Bohemia-Moravia."
to Palestine .. . Behind this new sugges
land, leading Jewish rescue worker
Because I know how easy it is to be
The processes of, degradation described
tion lies the hope' of British officials that through the war years, has met with
in this scholarly work are horrifying. Jews in the Balkan countries, as well as little success to date in obtaining monies lulled to indifference and complacency
de-
But the authority for it is unimpeachable.
in liberated Poland, Czechoslovakia, for the rescue of several thousand Jews by the enjoyment of these fruits of
Dr. Jacoby points to the claims the
Hungary and other countries which will in a highly-imperilled area. The amount mocracy, by creature-comforts and ma-
terial gains, I beseech Thee, Lord, to
Jews have for restitution of their civil, fall under Moscow's "sphere of influ-
political and economic rights. He is con- ence" may not be permitted to emigrate required is little, several tens of thou- make me remember, if I should ever
fident that all minorities in Bohemia- - to Palestine . . . Thus Britain will be in sands of dollars, almost equivalent to the forget, that but for Thy grace, I might
salaries of some executives in Jewish
a
Moravia can and will collaborate for the
a position to "prove" that there. are not philanthrophy . . . At one time, only a at this very moment have been but
good of all, "by the free will of free
enough prospective Jewish emigrants year and a half ago, 3,000 Jews, nearing heap of ashes in the inferno that is
men." He has faith in a world protected
left in Europe to justify giving Palestine their rescue, were turned back because Europe . . . Make me mindful that those
pitiful remnants of the millions of Jews
by a world bill of rights.
an. international status which would an- Dr. Silberschein could not obtain the re-
* * *
tagonize the Arab world . . . What is quired few thousand. dollars, or, rather, Who gave Europe their culture, their
"INDEMNIFICATION AND
feared most by the Zionists is the possi- because the money arrived too late due scholarship, their brilliance, their genius,
REPARATIONS"
bility that the British Colonial Minister to speculation, sophistry and hair-split- are my brethren, that their plight is also
Nehemiah Robinson's "Indemnification
may seek to win .President Roosevelt's ting among U. S. Jewish ,leaders, over My plight, that they need the hope, the
and Reparations: Jewish Aspects" deals
approval of this suggestion now, on the whether the methods employed in the strength, the courage that only I can give
them in this dreadful, crucial hour. For
with the dispossession of Jews, the -esti-
eve of the Roosevelt-Churchill-Stalin rescue were "legitimate" and "moral" ..
mates of the wealth of the Jewish popu-
conference • . . Such approval would Now no such problem is involved . . where else can they look but to America,
lations in Nazi-held lands, the problems
mean that the Palestine issue will not Incidentally, with the problem of na- to me, for assurance that those who suf-
of indemnification. He discusses specific
be' dealt with • by the Allies until some- tional budgeting again disturbing the fered for me have not .died in vain?
Give me strength of heart and of spirit,
plans and comes to definite conclusions.
time after the war . . . That Mr. Stan- Jewish scene, did you know of those little
He is for total indemnification, restitu-
ley does not think in terms of a Jewish conferences held recently to re-establish Lord, that I may be worthy of this great
tion of seized property, reinstatement in
Commonwealth in Palestine, but rather the People's Relief of • the first world responsibility. Never let me forget that
whatever I do is not only for my hapless
public services, compensation for loss of
expects that in post-war Europe Jews
war?
brethren over there, but also for my
life, etc. He advocates the setting up of
will be induced to remain in their native
*
*
*
-brethren here in this country, and for
a Jewish Agency of Reconstruction to lands, was clearly indicated by him not
FROM THE WESTERN FRONT
my children, too! For what shall it avail
perfect means of bringing about these
only in Washington, but also in talks in
results.
Belgian Jewish boys and girls are of us to pay with the blood of our sons
New
York.
* * *
* *
great assistance to U. S. military authori- for our hard-won rights, only to lose
THE YIDDISH VOLUMES
ties there. Fifty of them, mastering both them in the days ahead when the battles
ZIONIST TRENDS
The Congress Institute of Jewish Af-
English and German, are now serving as are over. And what shall it avail our
Some
of
the
Zionist
leaders
in
New
fairs did not limit itself to publishing
interpretors with the U. S. forces, and children to possess all the things we are
York
who
are
greatly
responsible
for
the
English books. There are Yiddish vol-
more will be employed in the near fu- able to give them if they do not grow up
ousting_ of Dr. Abba Hillel Silver from ture. The military consider them ingenu- in a world of freedom, democracy, and
umes of great 'merit.
leadership of the Zionist Emergency ous, trustworthy, etc. .. . Zionist leaders equality. And I know full well that
Dr. Jacob Lestchinsky's "The Jewish
Council are now dissatisfied with' the in Belgium were active throughout the equality of opportunity can be boughi
Catastrophe" is one of them. It is typi-
fact that Rabbi Stephen Wise did not German occupation, with meetings held only by equality of sacrifice.
cal of the work of this eminent sociolo-
take them to the White House when he
gist and economist. It outlines a scientif-
Unite my brethren, 0 Lord, and infuse
was received by President Roosevelt last past sunset.
ic approach to the Jewish problem and
us all with unbounded faith in Thee,
Participants
were
prOVided
with
forged
week . . . However, there is reason to
that together, with unfaltering vigilance
is replete with facts and figures.
believe that Roosevelt did not want any papers permitting them to venture into and unflagging diligence, we may hell,
Dr. Aryeh Schwartzbart's "Dutch Feier
the
streets
during
curfew
.
.
.
Philip
van
of the other Zionist leaders to accompany
un Blut" ("Through Fire and Blood"),
ourselves and all other peoples who he
Dr. Wise to the White House . . I hear Kelgen, Dutch underground leader, has heve in Thy word, to build a finer
to which Moshe Polakevich wrote the
the highest praise for the Jews with the
from
Washington
that
during
the
15-
preface, is a striking description of ghetto
brighter world, in which peace shal
minute talk between the President and Dutch partisan Units. When the facts are really be eternal and everlasting, for ous
conditions under Nazism.
revealed,
German-sown
anti-Semitism
Rabbi Wise, the latter did most of the
These volumes are obtainable from the
children and our children's children.
talking, while Roosevelt made no com- will evapora,te into thin air in Holland,
Amen
Institute of Jewish Affairs of the Con-
he stated.
mitments.
gress, 1834 Broadway, New York 23.

Between
You and Me

Heard in
The Lobbies

A Prayer for
rherican Jews