The Jewish Press · Omaha, Nebraska · 9 January 1931

CP-1931-001

Palestine’s Labor Problem

New Palestine

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Transcribed from the clipping

“The attitude of some of the Petach Tikvah and Ness Ziona colonists in connection with the recent orange-picking disturbances is extremely unfortunate. These unsavory incidents have recurred annually and have always elicited disapproval.

It had been hoped that this year, however, the complex of outer events would compel these Jewish orange-grove owners to deport themselves differently. But dispatches that emanate from Jerusalem report clashes and assaults and violent picketing. The situation at Petach Tikvah is easily described.

At the harvest time, Jewish plantation owners refuse to hire Jewish workers and employ Arabs instead. On the surface that might appear merely as a generous gesture inspired by Brith Shalom principles. But the facts are the very opposite. The reason that the Arabs are employed is because they can afford to accept a starvation wage.

The Jewish settlers cannot content themselves with the low rates that are offered. The result is that Jewish unemployed, properly resentful at the attitude of the owners, have picketed the groves and attempted to prevent Arabs from going to work. There can be no sympathy for violence in picketing, but there must be general appreciation for the plight of these Jewish workers.

The very thing which Jews wish to avoid is being carried out by these Petach Tikvah orange-growers. They may be affording employment to Arabs, but their action amounts to exploitation.

While the fellaheen may be grateful for the temporary work, then can always fall back upon this episode as an illustration of the ‘Jewish exploitation’ which Arab propaganda will be quick to utilize.”

Context added by this archive

A Zionist editorial in 1931 describing Palestinian farm labor as a starvation wage that Jewish workers cannot live on, and objecting to it chiefly because of how it will look.

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