Dr. Goldmann Faces Draft for Re-election As WZO President

Dr. Nahum Goldmann, who announced several months ago that he did not intend to stand for re-election as president of the World Zionist Organization, was faced with a draft movement at the World Zionist Congress here today. The 74-year-old Zionist leader had nothing to say on the matter. But he has been invited for a private talk tomorrow with members of the Congress’ steering committee to see if he would agree to accept the nomination.

The prevailing mood in the Congress is that there can be no Zionist Organization without a president and that there is no better person for the office than Dr. Goldmann. This view is shared by virtually every faction in the Zionist political spectrum. Dr. Goldmann is supported by the left-wing Mapam, by the World Confederation of General Zionists, and by the religious bloc. He also has support among elements of Dr. Emanuel Neumann’s General Zionist Union. Among Labor Zionists who said yesterday that they preferred to stand on Dr. Goldmann’s renunciation of his candidacy, a split appeared to be developing in the anti-Goldmann front, particularly those delegates from abroad. The only group flatly opposed to Dr. Goldmann’s renomination is the rightist Herut faction. So far the Congress’ steering committee has been unable to come up with any alternative nominee.

The Congress today granted limited voting rights to the 81-member youth delegation representing student and other organizations in Israel and abroad. They will be able to vote on all matters except composition of the World Zionist Executive and the president of the WZO. The youth delegates accepted the voting right on the basis offered. However, they are demanding a seat for themselves on the World Zionist Executive.