The left-wing Moked faction adopted a platform at the close of its first political convention here last night which recognized the primacy of Zionism as the national liberation movement of the Jewish people while at the same time recognizing the rights of the Palestinian people to a national state of their own which would co-exist side-by-side with Israel.
Moied leader Meir Payil, the faction’s only Knesset member, declared that Israel should welcome a Palestinian state because the national movement of the Palestinians and the Jewish national movement–Zionism–are like Siamese twins that developed and crystallized together. He denounced the two superpowers–U.S. and USSR–for what he called meddling in the region and using the Israeli-Arab conflict to promote their own interests.
The Moked platform advocated a coalition of the socialist groups and radical elements within the Zionist movement. It viewed Moked as a potential partner in such a coalition that would include the left-wing of the Labor Party and Labor Alignment, socialists from the religious factions, the Black Panthers and the radical intelligentsia.
PLANKS IN THE PLATFORM
Moked supported Jewish strivings to exist as a people in its own homeland with its own language and culture. Loyalty to the independence, sovereignty and security of Israel was described as the starting point for any Israeli-Arab peace movement. But Israel must recognize the right of self-determination of the Palestinian people which could be realized only.
The Moked platform stressed that peace agreements must be the result of negotiations between the parties free of dictates or pre-conditions. Israel must make it clear that she is not seeking to annex territories, but the areas taken in the defensive war of 1967 will be held as a guarantee and returned in exchange for peace, the platform said.
Guests attending the opening of the convention included Arye Eliav and Marsha Freedman of the independent Socialist faction in the Knesset; Eliezer Ronen of Mapam; and other left-wing personalities. Meir Tzaban, Moked’s representative in the Histadrut executive, said an emergency economic program was the only way to fight inflation and unemployment.
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.
