The 25th World Zionist Congress, which is scheduled to adjourn tomorrow night, adopted a resolution tonight, declaring that “immigration to Israel shall form the principal point of Zionist life in the Jewish communities all over the world.”
In the resolution, the Congress appeals “to the Jewish people, wherever they may be, to come to Israel by the thousands, so as to live a full Jewish life, help build the country, and reconstruct their own lives.”
The Congress noted two “encouraging” factors in regard to recent immigration. One related to the beginning of the emigration of Hassidim from the United States. The other took note of the recent influx of Jewish physicians from Argentina who have volunteered to settle in border villages.
The resolution requested that a joint study be set up by the Israel Government and the Jewish Agency executive to bring to Israel “all Jews desiring” to emigrate to the Jewish State, and “to avoid recurrence of instances when rescue came too late.”
One of the “urgent” goals pinpointed in the resolution calls for immediate aid to the emigration of North African Jewry, the Agency executive being instructed to “take the most energetic action” to implement this emigration.
Special areas regarded by the resolution as needing increased emigration to Israel are “small Jewish communities, where there is danger of spiritual degeneration”; bringing to Israel of North African Jews now residing in France; and bringing to this country of “the remnants of Jews in Cochin China.”
The Congress expressed “anxiety” over the relatively small number of recent immigrants who are scheduled to undertake pioneering activities in Israel. It recommended that a special framework for immigrants and for prospective immigrants be established in countries outside Israel.
To help speed Jewish immigration to Israel and facilitate the absorption of the immigrants, the Congress proposed these steps: Transfer of capital and property to Israel, the construction of apartments along standards suitable for the immigrants, the erection of new housing for rental wherever such housing is required, the grant of adequate mortgages for the purchase of apartments, constructive loans to professionals and artisans that would allow these to establish themselves in Israel, and the establishment of a fund to guarantee mortgages.
DEADLOCKED ON COMPOSITION OF NEW EXECUTIVE OF JEWISH AGENCY
The Congress was deadlocked today on the question of the composition of a new Jewish Agency executive. Last night Dr. Nahum Goldmann submitted to the Standing Committee of the Congress, tentative proposals as to the executive’s composition. However, the proposals were not accepted by the two confederations of General Zionists, which are competing for chairmanship of the New York section of the executive, as well as by the labor parties which oppose the admission of the Herut into the executive.
Discussion on the composition of the executive will come up after midnight tonight before the Steering Committee of the Congress which is composed of representatives of all parties. Dr. Goldmann indicated that, should no agreement be reached on the composition of the executive, he will announce his resignation from the presidency of the World Zionist Organization. The possibility was expressed here that the Congress may authorize the Zionist Actions Committee to elect the new executive, if no agreement is reached during the night. However, this solution is said to be unacceptable to Dr. Goldmann.
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.
