Religious Zionists Blast Aguda’s Refusal to Invite Navon to Conclave

Two leaders of the world Mizrachi movement criticized the decision of Agudo Israel not to invite President Yitzhak Navon of Israel to its world congress now in session in Jerusalem, it was reported here today by the Religious Zionists of America. Rabbi Simon Dolgin, chairman of the Meckaz Olami Shel Hamizrach (Mizrachi world center) in Jerusalem, denounced Agudo’s reasoning for its action. In remarks to a Yom Diyun (a day of study) of rabbinic leaders of the Mizrachi movement, Dolgin pointed out that a delegation of Hasidic rabbinic leaders had risen to its feet when it called on President Carter in Washington Dec. 17.

Similar sentiments were voiced by Rabbi Louis Bemstein, president of the Religious Zionists of America, upon his arrival yesterday in Jerusalem to attend a meeting of the World Zionist Organization Executive. He reported wide resentment of the Aguda’s snub of Navon in religious circles in the United States. “Rabbinic leaders in Poland would welcome local bishops with Torah scrolls,” be stated, “but they apparently rated higher than the President of a Jewish State.”

“I am appreciative of the Aguda action, though, ” Bernstein continued. “It points out the basic difference once again between religious Zionism and Aguda Israel. Religious Zionism sees in Israel the center and core of Jewish existence in the present and future. It is not just another State and its President, as head of State, at least rates the same courtesy as any other chief of state. But there are those who will never learn the bitterest lessons of history.”