Two prominent Israeli writers, Amos Oz and Yoram Kanyuk,–announced their resignation from the Hebrew Writers Union last night after it voted 70-33 against opening membership to all writers who are citizens of Israel. The vote was taken after a stormy debate over whether to admit Arab and other non-Hebrew writers. The issue was the subject of angry controversy at previous union meetings and a decision was repeatedly postponed until last night.
A compromise adopted by a vote of 85-11 called for the establishment of a general federation of authors which Arab, Yiddish and other non-Hebrew writers may join as a group or as individuals. The Hebrew Writers Union would be part of the general federation. Aharon Megged was named to head a committee to prepare a founding convention of the authors’ federation to be held no later than next Oct.
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