The Jewish monitor. (Fort Worth-Dallas, Tex.) 191?-1921, 1920-01-02
Friday, January 2, 1920.
WOMEN SUFFRAGE AGITATES
PALESTINE.
Opposition to Women Voting Temper
arily Postpones Balloting for
Members of Elected Assembly

the "Mizrachi," to women voting has
resulted in DR.. Weitzmann and M. M.
Ussishkin of the Zionist Administra-
tive Commission reluctantly consent
ing to the temporary postponement of
elections for the "Asefath Nivchorim"
Elected Assembly, to deal with
que1tions of internal administration.
While giving their consent the two
leaders, in no uncertain terms, made
clear their disapproval Of the opposi-
ton and that the postponement was
merely temporary. The elections would
be held within the next three or four
months, said Mr.. Ussishkin, speaking
for himself and DR.. Weitzmann, and
then women would be permitted to
participate, and a worthy assembly
would be elected.
The same opposition had compelled
the abandonment Of the original plan
to create a Constituent Assembly" to
legislate for Jewish Palestine. The
"Asefath Nivchorim," with a limited
jurisdiction realting merely to admin
istrative matter was offered as
compromise. But the irreconcilables
refused to be placated, and they crea-
ted situation which compelled the
"Mizrachi," who had tactitly accepted
the compromise, to present the ques-
tion to Rabbi Kuk for decision. Rabbi
Kuk, who is regarded as a leading au-
thority decided against woman slf.
frage. Rabbi Fishman, president Of
the Palestine Mizrachi, thereupon pub
lished an open letter accepting the
decision Of Rabbi Yuk. Arrangements
for holding the elections proceeded,
nevertheless, but upon the arrival Of
Weitzmann and Ussishkin the ques-
ton was reopened, in view Of the fact
that the Mizrachi and other irrecon-
cilables had announced that they
would not participate.
The Vaad Hazemani, the board
which had the duty Of arranging the
elections, deferred TO the opinions Of
Weitzmann and Usgshkin. In an
nouncing the postponement the Vaad
called attention to the statutes Of the
Zionist Organization which do not diff
ferentiate between the sexes. Vladimir
Jabotinsky has written an article for
"Chadoshoth Haaerts" characterizing
the postponment as sign Of weak.
ness, in view Of the recognition by the
Zionist Organization Of the principle
Of sex-equality. On the other hand,
Eliezer Ben Yehuda regards the post
ponement al an indication Of discipline
and loyalty. By deferring to the wish
es Of the leaders, thus avoiding a split
in the community, and leaving them
fit for other serious problems, he
writes in the "Doar Haydn" Jewish
Palestine has won its diploma" Of
graduation in political wisdom.
The Women's Zionist Organization
Of England has adopted strong resolu-
tons Of protest against the attitude Of
the "Mizrachi" pointing out that the
statutes Of the Zionist Organization Of
which that body is a part, place both
sexes on basis Of absolute equality.
This the "Mizrachi" declarations have
recognized and accepted and their
delegates have participated In Zionist
Congress at which women voted. At
q time when women throughout the
world have gained their rights Jewish
women will not endure this degrade
ton, and will not permit the Mizrachi
to rob them Of their rights In Palef
l. n L. A..