Two handwritten letters from "Va'ad Shivat Zion" (The Return to Zion Committee) in Cairo – committee of Jewish exiles in Egypt during World War I. Cairo, February-March, 1918.
1. Letter "to the Honorable delegates of the Palestine Institutes Convention, Jerusalem", written on official letterhead stationery of The Return to Zion Committee. Cairo, 15.2.1918.
In this letter, addressed to the "Yishuv Directors" in Palestine, the exiles express their wish to return to Palestine as soon as possible. They also raise complaints against the "Special Committee for Relief of Jews in Palestine" (probably, the "Special committee for aid to Palestine Jews" headed by Jacques Mosseri), and questions about assisting inhabitants in Palestine who suffer serious poverty. The letter is signed by the heads of the committee: Israel Cahanov, M. Poliak, A. Komerov and others.
[3] leaves (three written pages), 27.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folding marks. Small holes and tears. Filing holes, torn, to the three leaves, affecting the text.
2. A letter to the "Members of the Return of Zion Committee, Port Said". Written on official letterhead stationery of the Conjoint Committee "Shivat Zion". Cairo, 19.3.1918.
The letter relates to the visit of the Zionist Commission (Va'ad HaZirim Le-Eretz Israel) in Egypt and the founding of a joint committee of all of the Jewish societies in Egypt for the purpose of submitting a joint memorandum to the committee. Announcements and messages to the exiles in Egypt from inhabitants of Palestine appear at the end of the letter. Signed by the chairman and secretary of the committee.
[1] leaf, 27.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folding marks and creases. Small holes and tears (some open), some reinforced with adhesive tape. Filing holes at margins.
Provenance: Rimon Family Collection.