Zionist Congress Call to Jewish World

The 29th World Zionist Congress, at its closing session yesterday, called on the Jewish world to intensify Jewish and particularly Hebrew education and on the Jews of Israel “to strengthen and maintain the Zionist vision.” The call added: “Israel is the heart of the nation and its lifeblood is aliya.” Following are excerpts from the resolution adopted:

“The 29th Zionist Congress, meeting in Jerusalem, reaffirms the identification of the Jewish people with Zionism, both in thought and deed, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Zionist movement and the 30th anniversary of the State of Israel.

“We recall the words of our founder, Dr. Theodor Herzl at the first Zionist Congress in 1897: ‘Zionism is a moral, lawful, humanitarian movement, directed towards the long yearned-for goal of our people,’ and we reject the willful distortion of our goals spread by enemies of the movement and of the Jewish people.

“In pursuing its objectives, Zionism has striven to create a new set of circumstances, which would revolutionize the condition of the Jewish people by establishing a sovereign Jewish State and a spiritual and cultural center in the land of Israel. At the same time we are building a society from which other people and nations derive inspiration from its embodiment of Jewish ideals of justice and morality.

CHANGED COURSE OF JEWISH HISTORY

“In the space of 80 years, Zionism has succeeded in changing the course of Jewish history. Its crowning achievement has been the foundation of the State of Israel, in which Jews once again are masters of their own destiny and act in the interest of Jews throughout the world whenever and wherever the need arises….

“The Zionist solution is predicated upon the unity of the Jewish people. Israel is the heart of the nation and its lifeblood is aliya. Aliya is the basic act of faith of the Zionist. At this time, we reach out to our brethren in the Soviet Union and Syria, rejoice in the homecoming of their vanguard and work for the full restoration of their right to be reunited with us.

“Zionism calls on all Jews to engage in an all-out effort of expanding Jewish, Hebrew and Zionist education among adults and children alike. In particular, this means the study of Hebrew. Recognizing the centrality of Israel, we call upon the Jews of the diaspora to visit Israel as often as possible and to support it through the dissemination of information, enlighten the public regarding Israel’s achievements and problems and render financial assistance through investments and contributions.

“The Zionist Congress calls on Jews in Israel, who have a unique responsibility to strengthen and maintain the Zionist vision and to work for the establishment of a just and creative society, motivated by the highest ideals of the Jewish people. The Congress calls on the Jewish people in Israel and the diaspora to fully identify themselves with the Zionist movement and to work for the attainment of its noble objectives.”