‘historic’ Zionist Alliance Announced

Three Zionist organizations have formed a coalition to provide a voting bloc in the World Zionist Congress scheduled to be held in December 1987 in Jerusalem.

The bloc, the United Israel-Zionist Coalition, comprises Herut, Tehiya and Tami, “three American Zionist organizations that share a desire for Israel’s peace and security, settlement of Judaea and Samaria, and a dynamic free enterprise economy,” according to a statement issued by the Herut Zionists of America which also announced the formation of the Coalition. The Coalition also includes the Betar and Tagar youth movements.

Harry Taubenfeld, chairman of Herut’s U.S. election committee, said the Coalition “is a unique and historic agreement– the first formal alliance of American Zionist organizations. Away from the pettiness of partisan Jewish struggles, the Coalition indicates Herut’s desire to unify efforts to promote peace and democracy for the State of Israel, as well as the integrity of Jews worldwide.”

The coalition is conducting a massive membership/election campaign Taubenfeld said, Election of delegates to the Zionist Congress will take place in May 1987.

All Zionist organizations in the U.S. are now preparing for those elections by placing ads in the media, holding public forums, and conducting direct mailings and personal canvassing. The organizations are also distributing brochures explaining their basic positions and enjoining members and sympathizers to sign statements of support.

Michael Teplow, national director of Tehiya, praised Herut for its “moral integrity” in forming the coalition. Rabbi Mitchell Serels, the American representative of Tami which claims to represent Sephardim in the U.S., said the coalition “strongly upholds our ideological commitment to fight assimilation and maintain strong traditions in Jewish education.”