Inclusion of Non-zionist Groups in W.Z.O. Approved in Jerusalem

The proposal by Dr. Nahum Goldmann, president of the World Zionist Organization, to include non-Zionist organizations within the framework of the Jewish Agency, was unanimously approved and described as a “correct step” in a solution adopted here last night at a Joint meeting of the Israel Government and the Jewish Agency executive.

Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion and members of the Cabinet, as well as Dr. Goldmann and members of the Agency executive, participated in the meeting which lasted more than ten hours in three separate sessions. The Joint resolution approving Dr. Goldmann’s plan stated:

“The Israel Government and the Jewish Agency executive declare their unshaken determination to maintain close mutual relations according to the charter of 1954 and in accordance with the spirit of the Zionist Organization’s statutes of 1952, stipulating that the State of Israel sees itself as the creation of the entire Jewish people and expects from the Jewish Agency to unite the nation for the upbuilding of the State. The Joint meeting regards the plan to expand the Zionist Organization as outlined by the Zionist General Council as a step in the right direction.

“The Israel Government will give its full support to the implementation of this plan and to the endeavors of the Zionist movement to unite the Jewish people behind the State, expand Hebrew and Jewish studies among the younger generation, strengthen personal bonds with Israel and foster immigration.”

In the discussion which preceded the adoption of the resolution, nearly all the participants in the meeting took part. The discussion was not divided along party lines, and was described as “keen, earnest discussion on an individual basis.” Dr. Goldmann opened the discussion, after which Premier Ben-Gurion presented his views on the future tasks of the Zionist Organization.

Mr. Ben-Gurion, reportedly skeptical with regard to the efficient activity of the various Jewish organizations abroad, said that if the Jewish organizations were established to aid Israel, they should work separately, not united and every such organization should have a representative in Israel. This view was opposed by Foreign Minister Golda Meir, Justice Minister Pinhas Rosen and Transport Minister Yitzhak Ben-Aharon, who favored strengthening the Zionist Organization rather than weakening it.

At a midnight press conference held after the meeting, a spokes man for the Government and Agency denied that there was any discussion of the possibility of establishing a special Ministry to deal with Jewish world organizations.