The Zionist Organization of America called on the American Zionist Federation to drop any plans for a membership campaign of its own, warning that such a drive “would jeopardize the role of the AZF as an umbrella body that functions solely on the basis of a consensus of its constituents.
A spokesperson for the AZF told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency today that the AZF constitution contains a clause allowing for membership-at-large registration. The spokesperson also pointed out that, while there has been a suggestion by some people that the AZF undertake an independent membership campaign, “there is no plan before us at this time to do so, no organized position,” and no formal discussion.
The action came yesterday in a resolution adopted by the ZOA’s National Executive Committee which is meeting here in conjunction with the Pan-American convention of the World Union of General Zionists. A spokesman for the ZOA said he understood that the AZF is considering a membership drive and would permit individuals to enroll directly as members of the AZF rather than as members of AZF constituent organizations.
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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.
