Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion retreated slightly, at a meeting with a group of American Labor Zionist leaders, from his frequently stated contention that there were was no longer any distinction between Zionists and non-Zionists.
One of his guests asked him whether, in view of his stand on the issue, it would not be advisable to give up the Labor Zionist movement and for the visitors to stop being Labor Zionists. The Prime Minister responded: “Nol Just do more.” He appeared delighted that so many young persons were at the helm of the U.S. Labor Zionist movement. The informal session took place at Mr. Ben-Gurion’s office at the Defense Ministry.
Previously, the group met with Former Prime Minister Moshe Sharett to discuss Americans in Israel. Mr. Sharett told the visitors that he had initiated the introduction of legislation to amend Israel civil service regulations to end a requirement of loyalty oaths for Government positions, which would be retained only for certain vital posts.
Since Israel was “a special kind of country with special kinds of problems, there is no need to enforce such rules that could only harm,” Mr. Sharett said. “Why place needless obstacles in the path of integration?” He added that many such problems would find their solution eventually.
This was understood to be a reference to a rule which requires civil servants to sign a loyalty oath. Such an act is contrary to the United States Constitution and many Americans are, therefore, barred from taking Government positions, except on special contracts. Murray Weingarten of Kibbutz Gesher Haziv, a former American, told the session that American settlers have founded 25 settlements in 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.
