A demand that the United Nations make possible free access of Jews to Jewish holy places in Jordan was made here this weekend by the World Agudath Israel. The Agudah world congress, closing a week’s gathering by the ultra-Orthodox organization, adopted a resolution calling for such access and requesting the U.N. to make such visitations possible for Jews. The resolution mentioned specifically the Jewish holy places at Hebron and Bethlehem, as well as in the old city of Jerusalem, where the Wailing Wall is located.
Other resolutions proposed the establishment of the five-day working week in Israel; called for fostering religious education; demanded that the Israeli Government oppose “penetration” by Conservative and Reform congregations in Israel; and demanded that Russian Jews be given full freedom to observe and practice their religion. Another resolution strongly opposed the introduction of television in Israel.
The Sephardic community insisted at the closing meeting that it be given 25 per cent representation on the 141-member World Agudath Council and the 15-member world executive. That move was defeated, the Sephardim being held down to 10 per cent representation. Rabbi Yitzhak Meir Levin was re-elected to a fourth term as chairman of the Agudah executive.
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