All preparations were completed here today for the opening tomorrow of the 24th-World Zionist Congress at which problems affecting the relations between Israel and Jews in countries outside of Israel–as well as Israel’s security–will be discussed.
The delegates, coming from many countries, will have the opportunity to listen to the addresses and the ensuing debates in the language which each understands best. Simultaneous translation will be available in several languages and earphones will be provided each of the 500 delegates.
More than 60 foreign correspondents have arrived here to cover developments at the Congress. About 200 other journalists have registered as representatives of newspapers and magazines published in various parts of the world. The opening session tomorrow will be addressed by Israel’s Premier David Ben Gurion; Dr. Nahum Goldmann, chairman of the Jewish Agency executive, and Berl Locker, chairman of the executive in Jerusalem.
A plan for the future activities of the World Zionist Organization was outlined here today by Dr. Goldmann in an address to the opening session of a conference of the General Zionist Confederation which was attended by 150 delegates from all parts of the world.
Dr. Goldmann suggested the abolition of the “double shekel” which gives double representation to Israeli delegates at the World Zionist Congress. He also urged creation of “territorial Zionist organizations” in countries outside of Israel, but the simultaneous maintenance of identity of the various Zionist political groups. He warmly urged the recruitment of non-Zionists into the Jewish Agency. With regard to relations between the World Zionist movement and Israel, Dr. Goldman suggested that an existing coordinating committee, which is composed of representatives of the two, should establish a permanent institution to deal with economic and political issues.
The delegates decided unanimously to postpone discussion of internal differences within the Confederation until after the conclusion of the Zionist Congress. Today’s speakers included Dr. Israel Goldstein who insisted on the abolition of the “double shekel” and Dr. Peretz Bernstein, president of the General Zionists in Israel, who advocated a merger between the General Zionists and the Progressive. Mrs. Rose Halprin, speaking at today’s session, described Arab propaganda activities in the United States-and urged vigorous counter-action. Dr. Emanuel Neumann told the conference that Israel has no dependable allies in the East or in the West, except the Jewish people.
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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.
