Zionist Congress in Turmoil over Equal Rights for Reform, Conservative Jews in WZO Education Program

The 29th World Zionist Congress confronted its first major crisis today and erupted in pandemonium after the plenum twice voted in favor of a motion calling on the World Zionist Organization to grant equal rights to the Reform and Conservative branches of Judaism in its education programs abroad.

The Orthodox Mizrachi delegates and some of their Herut supporters were violently opposed and for some 10 minutes this afternoon, chaos reigned in the huge conference hall as opposing delegates battled in the aisles and exchanged blows for possession of the microphone on the podium. Mizrachi threatened to quit the WZO.

The motion was presented by Aharon Yadlin of the Labor Zionist delegation, a farmer Minister of Education and Culture who is currently chairman of the Knesset’s education committee. It was in the form of an amendment to a resolution adopted by the Congress’ education committee yesterday, with Orthodox and Herut support, which called merely for strengthening Jewish education abroad in order to “get together all the groups in the Jewish people, each with its own system.”

The Yadlin amendment was much more specific and aimed at granting equal status to the Reform and Conservative movements which have only recently affiliated with the WZO.

It said: All Jewish educational programs of the WZO should be based upon the principle of equality of the value and status of all streams of Judaism. The WZO will assist and support all the religious and ideological streams in their activities so as to reflect the pluralism which exists in Jewish life in the diaspora. The amendment added that Jewish education should emphasize the humane and moral values of Jewish culture and tradition.

PANDEMONIUM BREAKS OUT

The amendment did not sit well with the Orthodox. They objected loudly when it was introduced to the plenum this morning. Some Mizrachi and Herut delegates demonstrated in the aisles to demand that the earlier education committee resolution be declared final. When Yadlin’s amendment was adopted by a majority show of hands, the turmoil in the hall forced the presidium to adjourn the session until the afternoon.

The Mizrachi demanded a second vote. When the plenary session was reconvened, WZO chairman Lean Dulzin announced that the presidium agreed to a second vote because the delegates did not have the written text of the amendment before them when the first vote was taken. Dulzin was roundly booed by supporters of the amendment. But on the second vote, the amendment was carried by an unmistakeably vast majority.

When the presidium announced the official results, some Mizrachi delegates began to leave the hall. Others, however, began to chant and jump in the aisles. A group of Mizrachi youth rushed the podium and tried to occupy the presidium table. Fisticuffs erupted as delegates grabbed for the microphone. When Dulzin finally regained it, he adjourned the session for 30 minutes as he was unable to restore order in the hall.

Opponents of the Yadlin amendment claimed it was introduced as a deliberate provocation intended to divide the Jewish people. Interior Minister Yosef Burg, of the National Religious Party, said Mizrachi has “nothing else to look for in this Congress.” But as of this evening, the Orthodox faction made no move to carry out its threat to leave the WZO and some delegates do not expect them to cut their ties over this issue.

VICTORY FOR REFORM, CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENTS

Supporters of the Yadlin amendment said nothing provocative was intended. Labor MK Uzi Baram told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that if the Zionist movement wants the Reform and Conservative branches in its fold, why should they be denied equal rights and the same status as all other bodies in the WZO?

The outcome of today’s vote was a clear victory for the Reform and Conservative movements, the first in fact in their long struggle for equal status with the Orthodox. Many delegates expressed bitterness that the session exploded into violence. Many blamed the Mizrachi youth for being poor losers and undemocratic.

Except for today’s outbreak, the Congress has moved fairly smoothly. The major hurdle before it adjourns tomorrow night is a settlement of the dispute between Liked and Labor over the key post of WZO Treasurer. Likud insists on retaining that office, vacated by Dulzin. Labor is equally adamant that it will not join the WZO Executive unless it receives the treasury post.