The chairman of the World Jewish Congress Governing Board, Philip M. Klutznick, warned here today that Israel and world Jewry have entered a period of trial and uncertainty similar to that which existed 40 years ago when the WJC was created. The WJC is currently holding a session here of its Governing Board which will also mark the 40th anniversary of the world Jewish organization.
Klutznick, in an interview with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, said his organization is now as necessary as ever before. It has to serve, he observed, as a platform for world Jewry and the State of Israel. Asked whether disagreements between the WJC and Israeli policy have not appeared in recent weeks on such delicate issues as the policy towards Soviet emigrants who choose to go elsewhere than to Israel or on the attitude towards South Africa, Klutznick said: “We should emphasize cooperation and not dissent.”
The Governing Board’s session will conclude Wednesday night with a commemorative session marking its 40th anniversary. The Nahum Goldmann Awards will be presented to Israeli President Ephraim Katzir and former British Premier Sir Harold Wilson. Neither is expected in Geneva.
The Governing Board started its session here this morning with a meeting of its international affairs commission which discussed at length the situation in Latin America, relations with South Africa and analyzed the recent American Presidential elections. The plenary session this evening will examine the commission’s reports and prepare resolutions on some of these subjects.
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.
