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Mizrachi National Conference Opens in Israel; Jerusalem Sought As Israeli Capital

May 26, 1949
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The nations of the world were called upon today to remember that “the redemption of Israel will not be complete until Jerusalem becomes Israel’s capital.” The call was made by Rabbi J.L. Maimon, Israeli Minister for Religion, addressing the opening session of a two-day national conference of the Mizrahi organization.

The Minister–a member of Mizrachi–told the 100 delegates and guests from the United States and Europe that Mizrachi did not seek to make Israel a theocratic state. “We won’t dominate anyone,” he declared, “but the state must be built on the foundations of the Torah and a way must be found to bring the State and the Torah into harmony.

“The adjustment should not be made by reforms,” he declared, “but by rabbis who should consider the new ways of life and the interests of the state.” He urged the establishment of a supreme cultural center in Israel but said it would be a “disaster” if the Hebrew University were to become that center. “I can understand a university for chemistry or medicine,” he added, “but not for Judaism.”

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