Personalities prominent in Jewish life and the Zionist movement participated last night in the 70th anniversary celebration of the First World Zionist Congress. The ceremony was held in the Basle Stadkasino where Theodor Herzl convened the first assembly in 1897.
Dr. Nahum Goldmann, president of the World Zionist Organization, said it was the policy of the Zionist Organization from the outset to settle and build, rather than to conquer and rule. The Zionist movement today, he said, pursues no power politics but remains true to its ideology, which is education and the upbuilding of the State of Israel in partnership with her people and government.
Gen. Itzhak Rabin, chief of staff of the Israel Army, said that Israel and the Jewish people had never wanted war, but when there was no other way, the Israel Army knew how to fight. Israel’s soldiers. he said, were not imbued with hatred but fought for their country and their homes.
Zvi Lurie, a member of the Jewish Agency executive, presided over the meeting which was also addressed by the president of the Basle canton government.
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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.
