A national conference of Hakibbutz Hameuchad, the central council of the collective settlement movement of the Achdut Avodah-Poale Zion Party, opened at Givat Brenner last night. The Achdut Avodah split from the Mapam Party some months ago and formed its own party.
The recent splits in the kibbutz movement were denounced by Itzhak Tobenkin, head of the Hakkibutz Hameuchad, as costly to the movement in terms of new members and new settlements. He noted that even veteran members of collective settlements affiliated with the council were “perplexed” by the situation. Mr. Tobenkin also reviewed the world situation, attacking the United States for “war mongering” and hailing the Soviet Union, Communist China and the other Communist states.
After Mr. Tobenkin’s address, a general debate was opened during which problems facing the collective settlement movement in terms of the social structure of the settlements and political ideology will be hammered out. The delegates will also lay plans for further development of their settlements and for improving security arrangements. The parley is expected to last five days.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
