The major issue on the floor of the convention of the Zionist Federation of South Africa which opened here this week-end is the question of continuance or abandonment of the party system within the Zionist movement in this country. Some 700 delegates are attending the convention, which is described as one of the largest and most representative in the history of the South African Zionist movement.
A group of non-party delegates proposed a resolution which would change the organization’s constitution to provide for the election of a Federation executive on the basis of individual ability regardless of party affiliation. The non-party delegates insisted that the party system is an anomaly since the establishment of Israel and hurts aid to Israel. The advocates of the party system believe that no Zionist mass movement is possible without the party system. The resolution was defeated.
The opening session of the convention heard an address by Cecil Heyman, Israel Ambassador to the Union, who thanked the South African Government and people for its aid to the Jewish State. A message from Israel Premier David Ben Gution to the convention said that the accomplishments of the 100,000-member Jewish community of South Africa in behalf of Israel had not been surpassed by any other community outside Israel.
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