Former Premier David Ben-Gurion reiterated last night his sharp criticism of American Zionist leaders saying that “never — not before the first World War, or after the Balfour Declaration or even now — did they emigrate to Israel. The found more honors in working for Israel than working in Israel.” He spoke at a symposium here in which Dr. Nahum Goldmann, president of the World Zionist Organization, was also a speaker.
The former Premier also reiterated his doubts about the need for the Zionist movement, asking “What is the difference in the United States between Zionists and non-Zionists? They both love Israel.” He was particularly critical of American Jewry which he said was on its way to absorption by the non-Jewish majority and assimilation. “Only Israel, Jewish education and the Hebrew language” could keep American Jewry Jewish,” he said.
Dr. Goldmann insisted on the unity of the Jewish people and on the need for a Diaspora to ensure Israel’s survival. He said the issue was not “a question of money or other aid” from Jews outside of Israel “but the need for cultural ties, for something deeper, which puts it aside from all other nations.”
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.
