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Zionist World Parley in London Reaffirms “non-affiliation” Policy

March 12, 1958
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The Reorganized World Confederation of General Zionists concluded its three-day meeting here last night in complete agreement on the future tasks of the body and with the election of a new executive headed by co-chairmen Dr. Israel Goldstein and Mrs. Rose Halprin.

The parley unanimously reaffirmed its policy of non-identification with any political party in Israel, asserting this was the only way to avoid strife over problems which are within the exclusive competence of Israel’s citizens. However, it expressed the conviction that it was necessary for Israel to safeguard equality of rights for private, cooperative and collective capital in the expansion of the nation’s economic resources.

The delegates also reasserted their belief that the World Zionist Organization was the most effective medium for carrying out the traditional Zionist tasks of Hebrew education, immigration and halutziut. They reaffirmed support for the Hanoar Hatzioni youth group and hailed its role in building Israel and pledged aid in the development of Zionist-oriented youth groups and day schools in countries outside Israel.

On the organizational level, the Confederation indicated a readiness to accept as members all groups in any country which are prepared to accept its principles and program. Each group joining the Confederation would retain full autonomy in local organizational problems, although regional bodies may be organized to facilitate unification within large geographic areas.

The main headquarters of the Confederation will continue in New York, with three regional offices to be located in Europe, Central America and the Caribbean countries, and South America. The highest authority will be a world conference of the Confederation which will deal with all activities of the body, including selection of candidates for the World Zionist executive, the Zionist Actions Committee and other bodies connected with the World Zionist Congress.

Provision has been made to adding to the Confederation’s executive representatives of new groups joining it in the future. The American representatives on the new executive include: Mrs. Mortimer Jacobson, Mrs. Judith Epstein and Judge Louis E. Levinthal. Dr. Fastlich will represent Mexican General Zionists; Dr. Bronfman, the Argentine centrists; and Barnett Janner and L. Bakstansky, the British General Zionists. The executive also includes a representative from the General Zionists in France.

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