Yaacov Hazan, the veteran Mapam leader, has proposed a major reorganization of the Zionist-Socialist movement in Israel. He unveiled his plan for a Zionist-Socialist Federation to replace the present Labor Alignment which he said cannot function properly because it is riddled with factionalism.
Hazan told a press conference here yesterday that details of his proposal would be published only after negotiations are completed on the future of the Labor Alignment which is comprised of the Labor Party and Mapam. He indicated that he was opposed to a merger of Mapam with Labor because mergers work only when all of the parties follow the same policies.
He said the Labor Party was an example of a merger in name only because each of its three constituents–Mapai, Achdut Avoda and Rafi–continue their internal intrigues. They are merged but not united, Hazan said.
Hazan also claimed that the Labor movement in Israel was at a crossroads because the present working class generation differs from the old working class and therefore a new beginning is necessary. He said that a Zionist-Socialist federation would conduct internal elections and each movement would be represented in the roof body according to its electoral strength. The Premier and Finance Minister would be selected from the largest movement but would be elected by all parties represented in the federation, Hazan said.
URGES INITIATIVE FOR PEACE
Speaking on political matters, the Mapam leader urged Israel to state its clear position on future boundaries from which it would never retreat. He said the Americans had to know which borders Israel would fight for to the end. He warned that unless Israel was to become a second Czechoslovakia, it would have to state, for example, that it was ready to withdraw from most of Sinai but not beyond the borders which it regards as minimal for its security.
Hazan also urged Israel to undertake an unceasing initiative for peace. “We must strive towards peace as if it depends on us alone and prepare for war as if it was a reality,” he said, “We must fight for peace as if it were certain that the Arabs are leaning towards recognition of Israel and at the same time, strengthen ourselves as if the Arabs’ intention was to annihilate us,” Hazan declared, With respect to the Golan Heights, he said there was room for some minor withdrawals. “But if we go down from the Golan there will be no Galilee,” he warned. (By Yitzhak Shargil)
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.
