A statement predicting that American Zionist groups which are not tied to projects in Israel will face “a difficult period,” was issued here today by Dr. Israel Goldstein, president of the American Jewish Congress and member of the Jewish Agency executive, prior to his leaving for London to participate in discussions on Jewish claims against Germany.
Dr. Goldstein, who attended the plenary session of the Jewish Agency executive here, said that the question of coordinating the activities between the United Jewish Appeal and the Israel Bond drive in the United States is “on the way toward a solution” and that this is also the case with the question of the special status which the Jewish Agency is seeking from the Israel Government.
He urged that the Israel Government should consult the Agency before arranging with other Jewish organizations to work in Israel. The Agency, he added, is ready to broaden its executive by the inclusion of representatives of such organizations as the American Jewish Committee, B’nai B’rith, Board of Jewish Deputies of Britain and Australia, Agudas Israel, Pioneer Women and other groups. However, he declared, the Agency must first be granted its status then it can begin negotiations for broadening its base.
This must be done on the initiative of the Zionist organization and not imposed as a condition for the granting of a status to the Agency in Israel, he urged. He expressed the opinion that the forthcoming meeting of the Zionist Actions Committee, policy-making body of the Zionist movement between world congresses, will consider the issue of broadening the representation on the Jewish Agency.
Referring to the U.J.A. -bond drive situation, Dr. Goldstein said that the Israel Government must cooperate with the Agency in the establishment of a committee with authority to settle problems of timing and method of fund-raising of the two organizations. “It would be hurtful to Israel if the U.J.A. leaders were to feel that their work is being unnecessarily hampered,” he warned, adding that the Jewish State cannot hope to meet its needs without both fund-raising organizations.
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