Opposition on the part of some members of the Jewish Agency executive in Jerusalem to the program prepared by the Agency’s office in New York on the future of the world Zionist movement was indicated here today at the opening session of the Jewish Agency executive.
The session, which is expected to last two weeks, was opened by Dr. Nahum Goldmann, chairman of the American section of the executive. He pointed out that the present session will not only face the task of deciding the future of the World Zionist Organization and its relations to the Israel Government, but also the fate of the Jewish National Fund and the Keren Hayesod as well as of the “shekel.”
The distribution of portfolios among the members of the executive in Jerusalem and in New York will be another of the major problems to be settled in the present session, Dr. Goldmann said. The parley will also have to decide on practical problems concerning Zionist and rescue work in Europe and elsewhere, he stated.
Dr. Goldmann reported that the American members of the Jewish Agency executive came to the session with a unified program and with a single opinion regarding the future work and development of the World Zionist Organization. Such a unified program, he said, indicates that American Zionism has been strengthened. The unity evidenced in formulating the program also guarantees a healthy development in the near future, he added.
The chairman of the American section of the Agency reported that internal peace now reigns in the ranks of American Zionists, following the election of Daniel Frisch as Z.O.A. president. The entire American section of the Agency executive, he stated, is now working along general, non-party lines and is also increasing the prestige of organized Zionism among non-Jews in the United States.
ABOLITION OF SHEKOL AND STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN ZIONIST ORGANIZATION PREDICTED
Mrs. Rose Halprin, president of the Hadassah, who is a member of the American section of the Agency executive, today told a press conference here that she foresees the necessity for certain structural changes in the present World Zionist Organization set-up, including the abolition of the “shekel.”
The Zionist Organization must inevitably remain a living bridge between Israel and the Jewish communities in countries outside of Israel, Mrs. Halprin said. Referring to the question of emigration of Jews from the United States to Israel, she said that the bulk of American Jewry will remain in the United States, but “certain idealistic youths” will undoubtedly want to help Israel with their skill and experience.
Pointing out that the establishment of the Jewish state inevitably led Zionist groups to abandon independent political action, Mrs. Halprin said that American Jewry has nevertheless been very active in defending the right of Jerusalem to remain an integral part of Israel and in trying to persuade the United States Government to oppose the U.N. decision to place Jerusalem under international trusteeship.
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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.
