Z.O.A. Convention Concludes with Declaration on Zionism of Today

A six-point declaration spelling out its concepts of modern Zionism’s philosophy and principles was adopted unanimously here today at the concluding session of the 66th annual convention of the Zionist Organization of America. The convention also adopted a series of vital resolutions dealing with political, economic and administrative problems, Hebrew education and immigration to Israel. Rabbi Max Nussbaum was unanimously reelected for a second term as president of ZOA.

The declaration, setting down the policies and program of American Zionism which are to act as guidelines for the ZOA’s activities, stated:

“1) Zionism rests on the fundamental thesis, enunciated by the immortal Theodor Herzl, that Jews constitute a people — one people. It implies that Jews, whether living in the Diaspora as loyal citizens of their respective states, or in Israel, are bound together by historic religious and cultural ties. The Zionist movement is the embodiment of this idea and of the sentiment of the Jewish nation.

“2) Zionism also rests on the premise that the survival and historic continuity of the Jewish people, can only be assured by the existence and development of the State of Israel, not only as a refuge for the homeless and oppressed but as a secure ground for recreating the authentic Jewish civilization, Israel is the pivot of Jewish destiny.

“3) The State of Israel is more than a mere political entity. It is and, for the sake of its own survival must also remain, the national home of the whole Jewish people, as its spiritual center.

“4) The Zionist movement remains dedicated to its historic task of providing a homeland and helping the ingathering of homeless and oppressed Jews. But at the same time, it is recognized that large segments of the Jewish nation will continue to dwell in the foreseeable future outside Israel. Among the rights which these Jews should enjoy is the right to live as Jews in any free society, to make their contributions to contemporary civilization while fulfilling their responsibilities toward fellow Jews in Israel and throughout the world.

“5) We do not regard the Jewish people in the Diaspora and Israeli Jews as completely separate entities but as equal partners in the struggle for Jewish survival and historic continuity, sharing a common responsibility for the Jewish future.

“6) Grateful for the warm reception given us in Israel, and deriving intense joy over the progress achieved by Israel and deep satisfaction in our contribution toward that progress, we rededicate ourselves as Zionists fully conscious of new vistas for creative endeavor open to us in the future.”

In one of its adopted resolutions, the convention called for “direct and open” Arab-Israeli peace talks conducted “in full recognition of the rights of both sides.”