A call for the encouragement of private investment in Israel to insure the Jewish State’s economic and political independence was voiced in a resolution adopted here today at the closing session of the 61st annual convention of the Zionist Organization of America. Abraham Redelheim was elected president of the ZOA, succeeding Dr. Emanuel Neumann. The convention adopted a budget of $1,255,000 for the coming year.
The resolution urged consideration of the establishment within the ZOA of an Economic Department to promote the flow of private investments to the industry, commerce and agriculture of Israel. At the same time, the delegates underlined the need for “improved legislation” in Israel to give added impetus to the movement of private capital to the country. Finally, the resolution pledged the ZOA national and regional and apparatus to assist in the sale of Israeli products in the United States.
In a resolution stressing that Zionism’s basic tenets include recognition of the legitimate national interests and aspirations of all peoples in the Middle East, the Arabs no less than the Israelis and other non-Arab peoples, the ZOA declared. “We call upon our government to contain imperialism, which foments aggression and subversion, serves as an instrument of Soviet domination of the Middle East, and menaces the legitimate national aspirations and independence of Middle Eastern countries.”
NAMES GROUP TO STUDY PROGRAM FOR FUTURE OF ZIONIST MOVEMENT
Acting on a report of a commission, headed by Rabbi Mordecai M. Kaplan, which studied the basic Zionist ideology and presented a sweeping program dealing with the future of the Zionist movement, the convention named a standing committee to be known as the Committee for Greater Zionism to carry out the implications of the Kaplan unit’s report.
Members of the standing unit, though they will be committed Zionists, will not necessarily be members of the ZOA. They will be selected by the ZOA president in consultation with the chairman of the committee. Its function would include:
1. To study the report of the Kaplan commission and make whatever changes and additions as are deemed necessary.
2. After final formulation of the aims and projected activities of the future Zionist movement, the committee would seek to have other basic Zionist bodies adopt its recommendations in whole or in part.
3. Carry on an educational campaign to promote better understanding of the principles of “Greater Zionism,”
4. Propose to the next World Zionist Congress adoption of a platform for the Zionist movement in keeping with the aims of “Greater Zionism.”
Dr. Kaplan’s report urged the centrality of Israel to the survival of the Jewish people throughout the world, cautioned Zionists to develop Israel as a democratic commonwealth with the fullest expression in all religious, cultural and socio-economic spheres and counselled the movement to encourage the fullest expression of Jewish cultural values in communities outside Israel.
AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP FOR ISRAEL IS “DEEPENING,” EBAN REPORTS
Israel Ambassador Abba Eban, addressing the delegates, said that “the key to Middle Eastern peace lies in Israel’s swift consolidation.” He stressed that “thoughtful Arab minds must now be awakened to Israel’s manifest stability and to the uselessness of the policy based on non-recognition and antagonism.”
He stressed two trends which developed since the turbulent summer days. The first, he said, was the tendency of the Middle Eastern governments to resist the encroachment of Nasserism upon their independence and sovereignty. The second development, Mr. Eban said, “is a growing consciousness in the Western world that any program of stabilizing the Middle East must include an effort to fortify Israel in all the elements of her strength and spirit. This recognition,” he emphasized. “has never been as widespread in Western capitals as it is today.”
Asserting that the commitment of powerful governments to support Israel’s integrity and independence was “growing deeper and in many cases more tangible,” Mr. Eban stated: “For our part we should like to see it become the policy of all the greater powers and not of the Western Powers alone. In the meantime, we shall take help and friendship wherever we can find it.” At the same, the Ambassador spoke warmly of American friendship for Israel, asserting: We have seen a profound deepening of American-Israel friendship in all these contributions to the stability of Israel and the Middle East.”
In a report of the activities of the Jewish National Fund, Mendel N. Fisher its executive director reported that the organization’s receipts for last year amounted to $2,595,000 — an increase of $58,000 over last year.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
