Charges that the Religious Bloc in Israel is seeking to impose a theocratic government in Israel were termed here last night at the 30th annual convention of the Mizrachi Organization of America “grotesque, absurd and baseless” by Dr. Pinhas Churgin, president of the group. Addressing 1,000 delegates and guests attending the ocening session of the five-day meeting, Dr. Churgin said:
“Greater clarity and frankness are necessary on the part of the Israel Government in its relations with the world Zionist movement.” The Mizrachi leader added that his organization “expresses solidarity with the Religious Bloc in Israel, which is a vigilant advocate of the highest ideals and best interests of the Jewish state.” He also issued a call for a “three-year moratorium on all local communal building to enable the maximum success of the billion-dollar campaign for Israel.” He said, however, that religious and educational institutions should be exempted from the moratorium.
Plans for the establishment of the first religious agricultural community in Israel for 100 middle-class Jewish families from the United States were outlined by Rabbi Max Kirshblum, executive vice-president of the Mizrachi.
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