A.J.C. Convention Approves Expulsion of Left Wing Groups; Vote is 345 to 163

The biennial convention of the American Jewish Congress, by a vote of 345 to 163, late last night voted to accept the report of Dr. David Petegorsky, executive director, which was tantamount to approval of actions taken by both the A.J.C. administrative and executive committee in expelling two affiliated groups as well as the Metropolitan Detroit chapter of the Congress.

Expulsion of the American Jewish Labor Council and the Jewish People’s Fraternal Order, left wing groups, was ordered six months ago for “breaches of discipline.” The Detroit chapter’s charter was revoked about three months ago, on the ground that its members also failed to maintain discipline. The faction favoring acceptance of the report was led by Rabbi Irving Miller, chairman of the Congress executive committee, while Rabbi Shepherd Baum, of Brooklyn, N.Y., led the opposition.

Earlier, Robert Nathan, economic consultant to the Jewish Agency, speaking on “the Jewish State and the Jewish People,” criticized those U.S. officials who sought to tie in American aid to Israel with a proposal to internationalize Jerusalem. He added: “I do not see intergovernment loans to Israel as likely soon because some people, including some of our own State Department diehards on Zionism, will make internationalization of Jerusalem and the repatriation of Arab refugees conditions of further economic aid. Neither is feasible.”

Dr. Nahum Goldmann, acting president of the World Jewish Congress, urged increased support from the A.J.C. for the work of halting the terror faced by Jewish communities in Moslem states, particularly in Iraq. The fundamental task of the W.J.C.,” he said, “is to express and strengthen the unity of the Jewish people all over the world which is endangered by the widening gap between East and West in international affairs and which assumed increased importance after the creation of Israel.”