RA Resolution Affirms Continued Interests in Joining Wzo; Authorizes Ec to Proceed with Talks

A resolution affirming the continued interest of the Rabbinical Assembly, the association of Conservative rabbis, in joining the World Zionist Organization was approved overwhelmingly yesterday at the 75th anniversary convention of the RA.

The resolution, which authorized the RA executive committee to proceed with the talks, also proposed that the WZO recognize the “religious cultural heritage” of the Jewish tradition as an essential element of Zionism, that the WZO recognizes the “principles and legitimacy of religious diversity;” and that a “high priority” be given to the status of the Conservative movement and its rabbis and synagogues in Israel. There are now ten Conservative synagogues in Israel.

COMMUNAL “ACCOUNTABILITY” URGED

The Conservative rabbis also approved a resolution urging “stricter accountability” In allocations of Jewish funds by federations and national organizations. The resolution said that since philanthropy was “a vital part” of Jewish ethics, “our confidence in our institutions must always be protected,” The resolution called on all Jewish institutions to make their records public as a matter of course.

ISRAEL PEACE MOVE DISCLOSED

Gen. Haim Herzog, Israel’s Ambassador designate to the United Nations, told the convention yesterday that Israel has made many offers, of peace which are not generally known. He said that on June 19,1967, the Israel Cabinet voted unanimously to return all of the Golan Heights to Syria and all of the Sinal except Sharm el-Sheikh to Egypt in exchange for a peace agreement by the Arab states. He said “I would never say we should not talk to the Palestinians,” adding that “We do all the time but the problem is the extremist organization (the Palestine Liberation Organization) and its Palestine covenant which refuses the right of Israel to exist.”