Zionism in Action Uri Gordon: Rebel with a Cause

For many prominent Zionist leaders the name Uri Gordon can only mean one thing–trouble. When asked, Gordon himself agrees that he is “not so popular.” and frankly, one gets the impression that Gordon actually likes this unique status of being “not so popular.”

The head of the World Zionist Organization’s Young Leadership Division and a Labor Party activist, Gordon sees himself–and sometimes proves it–as a rebel against what one might call the Zionist “establishment.” However, one must not forget that Gordon himself is very much a part of this “establishment” and thus he regards himself as a “fighter” within the WZO.

Gordon is always intense in his criticism against Zionist leaders. In speeches, articles and interviews, Gordon repeatedly calls for a total reorganization of the Zionist movement, is always demanding new attitudes and seeking different means to achieve the basic Zionist goals. Perhaps this is why the Zionist movement in the mid-seventies, in Israel and abroad, cannot ignore Gordon–and he is by no means ignored.

ZIONIST MISSIONS NOT OPERATING

Gordon believes that presently the Zionist movement is not carrying out its missions. “For many a youth abroad,” he says, “the WZO today means practically nothing.” He believes that very little is being done in order to reach thousands of young Jewish students in the U.S. and elsewhere. The Zionist movement consists, he argues, of “commanders without armies.”

Gordon cannot accept the paradox which in his opinion stems from activities for aliya on the one hand and fund-raising campaigns on the other hand. He suggests a new “structure” for the WZO. The WZO, he says, should be divided into two different bodies. One, the Zionist Organization, would consist only of members who pledge to come on aliya within a certain period, which would be decided.

The other part would be more “general,” and would include anybody who calls himself a Zionist, regardless of his plans to perhaps carry out aliya some day. Gordon speaks of this idea with the same intensity with which he criticizes Zionist leaders, and with a zest which almost convinces one that the plan is practical. Needless to say the Zionist leadership does not regard Gordon’s ideas as even remotely realistic.

AN IMAGINATIVE PLAN

Nevertheless, criticism and rejection of his ideas do not discourage Gordon; and as far as visions are concerned, there is always room for yet another dream. Gordon likes to recall that 75 years ago, when Theodor Herzl envisioned the future state of Israel, he also wrote about a canal which would link the Dead Sea with the Mediterranean. According to Herzl, because of the tremendous altitude difference between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea, the canal would create waterfalls which could be exploited for electric energy.

“The nature of such a plan,” says Gordon. “is that it feeds your imagination on the one hand and creates many, many doubts on the other.” He notes that in March 1974, a committee of experts was appointed to examine various aspects of building’s hydro-electric plant in the area of the Dead Sea. “The committee’s major conclusion,” says Gordon, is that the project might be economically feasible, and it also suggested that preliminary planning be started.

How does the Young Leadership of WZO fit in with this project? Gordon believes that “when and if” such a project is decided upon, it should become a “national enterprise,” bearing in mind that it would actually be the realization of a Zionist vision.

“Such a project,” he says, “could fire the enthusiasm of hundreds and thousands of youth throughout the world, and the Young Leadership Division truly believes that a massive volunteer movement could then be established, combined with a moral and financial support of the Jewish people.” Youth would then become real pioneers, according to Gordon, faced with the challenge of actually participating in building this canal.

URGES ELECTIONS FOR ZIONIST CONGRESS

Like other Zionist leaders, Gordon is well aware of the upcoming 29th Zionist Congress. He criticizes the fact that most Zionist federations are not holding elections for the Congress. In Gordon’s opinion, elections should have taken place in Israel itself for the Zionist Congress, for the movement and its leadership need “new blood” and it is vital for the organization to revive its democratic character.

Gordon admits that within the WZO he also has some “personal” aspirations, and, though it seems unlikely that Gordon will be elected to the Zionist Executive, his efforts will continue, and perhaps an associate-membership in the Executive could be achieved.

In any event, Gordon firmly believes that the WZO’s Young Leadership should be represented in the Zionist Executive. It is “essential and highly important” that the younger generation within the Zionist Organization be more involved and more effective in the process of policy and decision making in the organization, he declares.