A declaration of principles, asserting the organization’s “leadership relative to continued activity in behalf of the world Zionist movement,” was adopted here last night at the closing session of the 51st annual convention of B’nai Zion, the American fraternal Zionist organization.
The declaration called for “furtherance of mutual understanding and ties of friendship” with Israel; “strengthening of the bonds of fellowship between American Jewry and others in Israel and elsewhere; economic aid to Israel and aid to absorption of refugees there; and furtherance of Hebrew culture, education and language, and Jewish traditions, in the United States.”
The declaration stated further; “We proclaim our position as a non-political body, neither affiliated with nor identified with any political grouping in our country, in Israel or elsewhere. We welcome into our ranks members of all shades of opinion, united under the banner of Americanism and Zionism.”
Binyamin Eliav, Israeli Consul-General in New York, addressed the convention’s final luncheon, telling the 500 delegates: “Israel is making progress in establishing friendly, mutual ties with the new nations in Asia and Africa. This progress, which is even more marked in Africa, is, in effect, a breakthrough in the Arabs’ political blockade of Israel and in the latter’s effort to isolate Israel. We are confident that, in the not too distant future, the economic blockade will be broken, enabling Israel to play a still greater role in the general development of the Middle East.”
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