‘A R’
Editor’s Note:
Seventy years ago, on 29 November 1947, the United Nations General Assembly voted by a requisite two-thirds majority to adopt, as Resolution 181(II), the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine. The resolution, which recommended the division of the Palestine Mandate territory into independent Arab and Jewish States with a ‘Special International Regime’ for the city of Jerusalem, provided the legal basis for the formal establishment of the State of Israel just under six months later. The article republished below, which recounts how South African Jewry responded to the news of the UN’s decision, first appeared in a special edition of the Zionist Record on 2 December 1947. The author is identified simply by the initials ‘A R’.
At about 1.30 a.m. (South African time) people sitting around their radios, tuned in to Lake Success, heard Dr Aranha, the President of the United Nations’ General Assembly, make the historic announcement that the two-thirds majority had been obtained for the Ad Hoc Committee’s resolution to partition Palestine.
Many people, in different parts of the country, were listening in and numerous stories are circulating of spontaneous rejoicing at that early hour of the morning. A listening post was organised by a number of well-known Zionists. Here is the story of this group sitting eagerly and grimly around the radio.
The session of the General Assembly, which usually commenced at 10.15 p.m. (South African time) had been postponed for an hour, and when the President called the delegates to order the group sat gravely, ears strained to catch every word. Reception was good and the speeches came through clearly. The phone rang frequently and eager enquirers, unable to tune in to Lake Success themselves, asked for latest developments.
The President of the Assembly called on the delegate for the Lebanon!
What Surprise?
What surprise would he spring? What last-minute attempt would he make to throw a spanner in the wheel? His suggestion of a Federal State as a means of conciliation seemed like crude irony. But any form of attempted sabotage could be expected. …
The delegate for the United States of America was called to the rostrum. He demanded an immediate vote on the Ad Hoc Committee’s resolution. His tone was firm. He told the delegate for the Lebanon that what he was in fact suggesting now was the Federal scheme which the Ad Hoc Committee had rejected.
The delegate for the U.S.S.R. was called upon. His speech was translated as he spoke. He, too, was firm, and asked for an immediate vote.
The announcer stated that the atmosphere in the Assembly Hall, as well as in the packed public and press galleries, was tense; and the group around the radio listened solemnly as the president stated:
“We shall now proceed to vote on the Ad Hoc Committee resolution.”
Any Developments?
And then one of the Arab delegates rose on a point of order, which was rejected. While he was speaking on the point of order, the phone rang.
“Any developments?” asked a prominent Zionist.
“You phoned at a critical stage,” came the reply. “A vote may be taken soon. I’ll phone you back.”
The President announced that the names of the countries would be called alphabetically, and that “those in favour will say YES, those against will say NO, and those who abstain . . .they will know what to do.”
Faint smiles at the President’s little joke crossed the grim faces of those around the radio. Everyone was conscious of the great significance of the “scene” they were listening to.
“Afghanistan” . . . “No!” “Argentina!” .
. . There was no reply.
“Argentina!” . . . Again there was no reply.
“Abstention,” said the announcer.
Recording the Votes
Several of the listeners were recording the votes.
“France” . . . “Yes!”
There was a cheer in the Assembly and the President called for order, admonishing the gallery; but the group around the radio loudly applauded France’s affirmative vote until they were called to order with several “sh’s” as the next country was called upon to vote.
Telephone Rang
The telephone rang . . . nobody was going to answer it at this stage . . . the receiver was simply lifted off and put down on the table.
“The Phillipines” . . . “Yes!”
Exclamation of surprised approval.
“Pakistan” . . . “No!”
“Poland” . . . “Yes!”
Warm smiles.
“Persia” . . . determined “No”
“Union of South Africa” . . . “Yes!”
“United States of America” . . . “Yes!”
“U.S.S.A . . . “Yes!”
“Yugoslavia” . . . Abstention
Voting Is Over
The voting was over! Lightening calculations were made. A two-thirds majority had been obtained. But everyone around the radio remained quiet.
“The votes are now being counted,” said the announcer. Soon afterwards the president announced:
“The Ad Hoc Committee’s resolution has been adopted with the necessary two-thirds m a j o r i t y .”
Mazel Tov!
A spontaneous burst of applause came from the group. “Mazeltov,” ‘Mazeltov,” and hands were warmly shaken. Numbers were immediately dialled. One prominent Zionist, who had been waiting at his telephone for the news, listened quietly while the bare details were given and then shouted jubilantly, “Yipee!” and then announced the news to a group of people who were with him. This group, as well as several other individuals who had been phoned, joined the first group and there was much celebrating, hearty expressions of “mazeltov,” and the dancing of the hora.
The Editor of the Zionist Record was awakened to hear a voice over the telephone saying: “I make no apologies for pulling you out of bed at this late hour. The UNO Assembly . . .” he was kept awake all night answering calls from people who were seeking confirmation of the news. Enquiries came from as far afield as Rhodesia and the Cape.
A prominent member of the S.A. Zionist Federation was phoned.
“I want to speak to Mr. X.”
“Mr. X is asleep,” said a tired voice.
“What do you mean he is asleep? How dare he sleep at a time like this? Wake him immediately!”
It was interesting to note the reactions of people dragged out of bed in the early hours. Many remained speechless for a short while. Others without apology rushed from the telephone to awaken members of t he family.
Children of the South African Jewish Orphanage (Arcadia, Johannesburg) singing Hatikvahin celebration of the adoption of the Partition Plan.
At Synagogues
The usually well-attended Sunday morning services in the synagogues were pervaded with the news of the day. Worshippers prayed with added fervour. At the Sunday sessions of the Talmud Torahs the teachers gave the children a holiday after announcing the significance of the day.
At the S.A. Jewish Orphanage the children lit a bonfire and sang the Hatikvah.
The first representative gathering to take place at which reference could be made was the monthly Sunday meeting of the Board of Deputies (reported elsewhere in these columns). Neither the chairman, executive nor the Deputies were in mood for any other business but the topic of the day. The usual rules of procedure were dropped and deputies from the floor, as well as members of the executive made brief speeches after Mr. Kuper and Mr. Gering addressed the gathering.
At other functions in town, at weddings, engagement parties and barmitzvahs the news from Lake Success was the main topic of conversation.
Federation Meets
The Executive of the S.A. Zionist Federation met at a brief meeting on Sunday afternoon. A number of urgent matters arising out of the latest news were dealt with and arrangements were made for public demonstrations.
At a Barmitzvah
By coincidence the barmitzvah of the second son of Mr. Bernard Gering was celebrated during the week-end. On Sunday night when friends of the parents came to their home to wish them mazeltov, the celebration became a double simcha. Most of the leading Zionists of Johannesburg were present and they all joined in singing and dancing the hora. The gathering was delighted to see Mr. Kirschner joining the singing by the youthful members.
Mr. Kirschner toasted the barmitzvah and referred to the great occasion with which it coincided. All were in a happy mood and for a moment all the worries and hard tasks which necessarily face the leading workers of the Zionist movement were forgotten in joyous abandon.
