Dr. Nahum Goldmann, president of the World Zionist Organization, severely criticized Israel Premier David Ben Gurion for inviting a delegation of American Jewish Committee leaders to Israel without first consulting the Zionist leadership whether such an invitation would be helpful to the activities of the Zionist movement in the United States.
Addressing the Zionist Actions Committee, which is now in session here, Dr. Goldmann cited this action as an example of how the Israel Government fails to implement the agreement it concluded with the World Zionist Organization recognizing the latter as the representative body of Jews in countries outside Israel. Dr. Goldmann acknowledged the work of the American Jewish Committee in various fields, but charged the AJC without accepting Jewish discipline and asserted that Premier Ben Gurion’s invitation has undermined the prestige of the Zionist Organization in the United States.
Dr. Goldmann also criticized the members of the Actions Committee who oppose the naming of non-Zionists to the Jewish Agency. He strongly advocated an “open door” policy for new membership in the Zionist movement and insisted on the reorganization of the Zionist movement on the basis of territorial federations. He emphasized that had he known he would not succeed in effecting a change in the status of the World Zionist Organization, he would not have accepted the presidency of the organization.
DR. GOLDSTEIN DEPLORES ISRAEL GOVERNMENT’S NON-COOPERATION
Dr. Israel Goldstein, speaking as a member of the Jewish Agency executive, also struck a discouraging note concerning the Israel Government’s failure to implement its agreement with the World Zionist Organization. Rabbi Mordecai Kirshblum, American Mizrachi leader, criticized Mr. Ben Gurion for his theory that Zionism must be exercised by personally emigrating to Israel, “Zionism,” he argued, “should be measured by devotion to the task performed for Israel and followed by personal emigration to Israel whenever possible.”
Michael Gelber of Canada, and Dr. Isaac Goldenberg, president of the Zionist Organization of Argentina, supported Dr. Goldmann’s demand for the establishment of Zionist territorial federations. Dr. Goldenberg also recommended the creation of Arab-Israel friendship leagues in countries outside of Israel.
Ezra Shapiro, president of the newly established American Jewish League for Israel, reported on the formation of the new organization. He said that deeper knowledge of association with Israel in its broader implications is needed for Jews in countries outside of Israel. He emphasized that the League is the first new Zionist group established since the birth of the State of Israel.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
