“There is nothing more important for the health of the Zionist movement than unity in the ranks of the General Zionists the world over,” Dr. Emanuel Neumann said here today in an address to the world conference of the Confederation of General Zionists which he heads. Delegates representing 32 groups are meeting here to consider reports submitted by the Confederation’s World executive.
Principal item on the agenda is the question of unification with the rival General Zionist confederation headed by Mrs. Rose Halprin and Dr. Israel Goldstein. Resolutions on such a merger adopted by the latter group last month at its meeting in Amsterdam were debated and found unacceptable by the group headed by Dr. Neumann. The Amsterdam resolutions were considered by the conference here as laying excessive emphasis on negative slogans rather than on compromise proposals.
Dr. Neumann in his address today, said that the split in Israel caused by the formation of the Progressive party in 1948 was “a tragic error with disastrous consequences” and, at the same time, causing the breakup of the United Confederation of General Zionists. He said it was hoped that the fusion of the General Zionists with the Progressives in Israel would open a new chapter of reconciliation among all General Zionists and thus “we issued last year a call for unification.” He stressed that unification was still possible on the following terms: 1. Acceptance of a compromise plan of establishing a Zionist body in Israel distinct from the Liberal Party; 2. Constitution of a reunited Confederation providing it will function within the framework of the World Zionist Organization and be concerned with Zionist tasks exclusively without becoming involved in the domestic polities of Israel or any other country.
Assuming the acceptance of such a formula as a basis, Dr. Neumann declared: “We are prepared to stand by our compromise proposal whereby the Israeli General Zionists will be represented in the United Confederation not through the Liberal party but by a separate organization to be formed for purely Zionist purposes.”
Dr. Neumann also proposed that a committee of the two competing confederations be formed “forthwith” to work out detailed plans of a definite agreement for an early merger. “Whatever the outcome is of current discussions, we will continue to strive for maximum unification of all General Zionist forces,” Dr. Neumann declared.
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