Dr. Moshe Sneh, extremist leader of the Mapam Party, and his major supporters were meeting here tonight to consider a demand from the majority of the party that they either disband the “Left Brigade” faction which they have just formed or give up all seats they hold in the name of the party in government bodies and labor organizations.
It is understood that Dr. Sneh and his adherents will refuse to bow to the majority’s demand and will break away to form a new party. It was also reported that the Sneh forces would not join the Israel Communist Party. Their vote in the Knesset yesterday, siding with the Communists to oppose the government’s condemnation of the Soviet campaign against Israel and the Zionist movement, was seen here as another indication of their decision to stick by their guns, regardless of the cost.
Meanwhile, all extremists in the settlement movement have been warned to adhere to majority decisions or face ouster from the kibbutzim sponsored by Mapam. A number of Mapam leaders who have always been close to Dr. Sneh, but who have not yet declared themselves on his side in the latest battle, have indicated that they will make their decision in a matter of days. These include such men as Chanan Rubin, Yaacov Riftin and Eliezer Peri.
The Achdut Avoda faction of the Mapam Party today demanded that the party expel Dr. Sneh, who differs with the majority in its condemnation of the Prague trial and the Soviet anti-Jewish drive. The moderate group insisted that “there is no place in the Mapam for non-Zionists.”
Meanwhile, after a lengthy session which lasted until the early hours of this morning, the Hazit Halikud faction, demanded that the new group organized by Dr. Sneh not be recognized as an official group within the party. The meeting insisted that Dr. Sneh and others of his group who hold Parliamentary seats, seats on municipal councils or in the Histadrut surrender them. If the extremists refuse to act in this fashion, the faction urged, they should be brought to trial before a party court.
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.
