867N.01/12–3046: Telegram
The Consul General at Basel (Sholes) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:25 p.m.]
105. For Henderson from Lehrs. Supplementing Contel 104 29th.11 Final results of Zionist Congress can be summarized as follows, according to strictly confidential information obtained from Epstein and others:
Opposition led by Silver which defeated Weizmann’s policy in Congress proved incapable to propose constructive alternative acceptable to majority of General Council. In endeavor to overcome deadlock Weizmann’s supporters, including Ben-Gurion, Brodetsky,12 Goldmann [Page 737] and Shertok succeeded having General Council elect an Executive in which 13 of 19 members support partition plan and favor attending London Conference. Further they had General Council appoint a special political committee of 16 members with power to decide when and if necessary change in “existing circumstances” has occurred enabling Executive attend London Conference under provisions of Congress resolution reported in Contel 101 24th.13 Proportion of members in committee accepting partition and London Conference said to be similar to that in Executive. To achieve all this against Silvers stubborn opposition they compromised with him by dropping demand for Weizmann’s inspection [reelection?]. Committee tentatively scheduled meet Paris in about fortnight. Meantime Brodetsky will endeavor see Bevin about January 3 to suggest a British gesture satisfying committee that change in “existing circumstances” has occurred thereby enabling it authorize Executive attend London Conference. Epstein says release of immigrants detained Cyprus would suffice. He also said members of Executive assigned Palestine determined to shrink from no measures to suppress terrorism.
Members of Executive, Brodetsky and Goldmann, assigned London and Shertok to Washington, latter expecting arrive there accompanied by Epstein about January 15 and confer with Department. Silver flying today from Amsterdam to New York.
Sent Department, repeated to London. [Lehrs.]
[In despatch 517, January 16, 1947, the Consul General at Basel reported on the 22nd World Zionist Congress which opened on December 9, 1946, adjourned on December 24, leaving its unfinished business to the General Zionist Council, and concluded on December 29 with the election by the Council of a new Executive of the Zionist Organization. Dr. Weizmann stood for reelection as President of the Executive on a platform of participation in the London Conference to discuss partition of Palestine and the establishment of a Jewish state within it. He was defeated by the group led by Rabbi Silver who demanded a Jewish state in the whole of Palestine. Dr. Weizmann’s supporters succeeded in electing a new Executive in which the majority favored his partition proposals. The position of President of the Executive, however, remained unfilled. (867N.01/1–1647)]