The fourth national convention of the Canadian Zionist Federation closed here on a note of unswerving unity with Israel and expressions of confidence that whatever the future holds, the community of purpose between the people of Israel and the Jews of the diaspora will succeed in surmounting it.
Premier Yitzhak Rabin, addressing more than 1000 delegates at the closing banquet at the Tel Aviv Hilton Hotel, said Israel was determined to keep itself strong and promote its development. “I don’t know if war will break out but I know we must be prepared to defend ourselves and we shall never again be caught by surprise,” Rabin said.
He stated that on his recent state visit to Washington he was convinced that there is full understanding by the government and people of the United States of Israel’s policies. However, he added, Israel has to rely more than ever on the support of the Jewish community throughout the world.
The Premier said Israel was eager to live in peace as a Jewish State. If peace has not been achieved, he said, it was not Israel’s fault. The Sinai disengagement agreement was a risk taken for the sake of peace. “I believe that Israel has done the right thing, because if another war breaks out you must be sure you have done everything, explored every avenue to prevent it,” Rabin said.
Dr. Leon Kronitz, re-elected executive vice president of the CZF, summed up the eight-day convention and expressed his conviction that the Canadian government will always stand for the security of Israel. He urged the delegates to pledge themselves to carry out the resolutions of the convention after it has closed.
Philip Givens, re-elected president of the CZF. said it was imperative that a bastion of democracy should exist in the Middle East. Givens, a member of the Canadian Parliament from Toronto, said “We don’t ask for special favors but we should demonstrate to the Canadian government that the PLO should not be allowed to enter Canada.” He was referring to the Habitat Conference in Vancouver this April to which the PLO has been invited.
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