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Young Israel Convention Denounces Neturei Karta Campaign in U.S.

June 30, 1958
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The campaign against Israel being pressed in the United States by the extreme Orthodox group who follow the Neturei Karta tactics of anti- Israel demonstrations and picketing was denounced here today at the 46th annual convention of the Young Israel, a major Orthodox body in this country. More than 700 delegates are participating in the contention.

Terming the extremists “little irresponsible splinter elements in the United States, ” Moses H. Hoenig, president of Young Israel, said In his presidential address that their anti-Israel campaign in this country is “vicious, dishonorable and destructive.” He stressed that “they are not only degrading and besmirching the sterling name of the State of Israel by offensive methods, but they are also casting unjustifiable reflections on the sincerity, honor and dignity of Orthodox Judaism in the United States.”

“These purveyors of strife and hatred constitute a negligible minority in American orthodoxy and do not possess any scintilla of authority or power to speak for the vast majority of Orthodox Jews who are answering in their devotion to the free and democratic State of Israel, ” Mr. Hoenig continued. He asserted that “there is complete freedom of religion in Israel and the religious parties are afforded adequate representation, in all governing bodies of Israel.”

Yaacov Herzog, Israel Minister to Washington, addressing the convention, said that the historic challenge confronting Israel and the Jews outside Israel is to merge in an all-embracing spiritual unity the two great streams of Jerusalem and Babylon which developed after the destruction of the first Temple.”

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