Sharett Proposes Changes in System of World Zionist Organization

Moshe Sharett, chairman of the Jewish Agency executive, placed before the current meeting of the Zionist World Actions Committee today a program of action which included proposals for major changes in the organization of the governing bodies of the World Zionist Organization.

These included a proposal to replace the Shekel with a permanent WZO member ship card with fees paid to the national Zionist Federations. He also proposed to make nonparty Zionists eligible to Join the WZO entitling such groups to Join local Zionist Councils and to be represented on the council governing bodies and on the World Zionist Congresses.

Discussing the tasks of the Zionist movement, Mr. Sharett said that the rising assimilation of Jews compelled a reorientation in the direction of non-Israeli Jewry and the awakening of Jewish institutions in other countries to the peril of assimilation. He urged the active participation of the Zionist movement in the direction of the Jewish Communities to deepen Jewish consciousness and for effective representation of the movement in international Jewish organizations.

Apart from direct Zionist action, the Zionist movement should strive to stimulate the initiative of other Zionist organizations, he urged. He added that in view of the Israel Government’s recognition of Joint responsibility with the movement for the future of Zionism, the full measure of Israel’s support should be enlisted for implementation of the program in other countries while the Zionist movement’s cooperation with the Israel Government ought to include promotion of Zionism in Israel, especially among the young generation.

Dr. Emanuel Neumann, chairman of the American section of the Jewish Agency, hailed the Joint Israel Government-World Zionist Organization statement as a historic occasion which “may mark a new era in the checkered history of our movement.” He also hailed the “profound understanding” displayed by Premier Levi Eshkol on problems confronting Jewries outside of Israel.

Dr. Neumann stressed that the planned intensification of the efforts of the Zionist movement was not meant to displace “the existing agencies or compete with them.” He also emphasized the need to enhance Zionist consciousness and ties with other Jewries in Israel and he urged the establishment of an Israel Zionist organization or a “Council of Israel Zionists of all parties.”