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In a signing ceremony in Yerushalayim two weeks ago of the World Zionist Organization,a coalition that included the Orthodox Union, Yeshiva University, Touro College, Bnei Akiva, AMIT, the RCA, the National Council of Young Israel and Torah Mitzion resulted in Yaakov Hagoel, being named the organization's first religious Jew to serve as the Chairman of the Executive. The agreement signed distributed control over Zionist institutions and departments to a wide range of Jewish organizations and factions, from Orthodox to Reform and from Right to Left.This prompted Agudath Israel to issue a "Statement on Charedi Principles" explaining why they did not join and claiming that those who did were acquiescing to the dogmatic statements that were part of the The Jerusalem Program's foundations of Zionism which are:"Zionism is the national liberation movement of the Jewish people, it brought about the establishment of the State of Israel,and a Jewish, Zionist, democratic and secure State of Israel is the common responsibility of the Jewish people for its continuity and future.The State of Israel and Jerusalem, its capital, is central in the life of our nation.Aliyah to Israel from all countries and the effective integration of all immigrants into Israeli society is a goal we must work for.Strengthening Israel as a Jewish, Zionist and democratic state and shaping it as an exemplary society with a unique moral and spiritual character, marked by mutual respect for the multi-faceted Jewish people, needs to be inculcated to our children as something to constantly strive for.Eretz Yisroel's destiny is rooted in the vision of the prophets, striving for peace and contributing to the betterment of the world.We will ensure the future and the distinctiveness of the Jewish people by furthering Jewish, Hebrew and Zionist education, fostering spiritual and cultural values and teaching Hebrew as the national language;Despite being geographically spread throughout the world,we will nurture mutual Jewish responsibility, defend the rights of Jews as individuals and as a nation, and represent the national Zionist interests of the Jewish people, and struggle against all manifestations of anti-Semitism.We will do all in our power to further thesettling of the country as an expression of practical Zionism."The Agudah deems these ideas,which give such prominence to statehood as a rejection of Torah as the major factor that defines our people and in essence condemned persons identifying as Charedi for joining the group. Rabbi Bechhofer takes exception with the conflation of Charedi and the Bnei Torah of America.Rabbi Kivelevitz feels that the chance to bond with one voice in a time of world crisis should be a benefit that trumps any suggestion that there has been an abdication of principle as the platform is secondary to the benefits to Torah institutions that will ensue.Kivelevitz and Bechoffer both believe that issues in Eretz Yisroel need to be put on the back burner when so much tummult exists in America which Agudah can address together with other Orthodox mosdos.Rabbi Kivelevitz offers thoughts on the passing of Rav Dovid Feinstein Zt"l and Rabbi Jonathan Sacks,Z"lwhile Rabbi Bechhofer criticizes those who davened fervently for Donald Trump's re-election,and Rabbi Kivelevitz urges all Jewish organizations to warmly congratulate Joe Biden on his victory. a certain party identifying itself as representing Chareidi Jews has the authority to sign a coalition agreement within the World Zionist Congress together with other Jewish parties including non-Orthodox religious groups, as happened last weekThe Jerusalem Program states that:Zionism, the national liberation movement of the Jewish people, brought about the establishment of the State of Israel, and views a Jewish, Zionist, democratic and secure State of Israel to be the expression of the common responsibility of the Jewish people for its continuity and future.The Jerusalem Program's foundations of Zionism are:The unity of the Jewish people, its bond to its historic homeland Eretz Yisrael, and the centrality of the State of Israel and Jerusalem, its capital, in the life of the nation;Aliyah to Israel from all countries and the effective integration of all immigrants into Israeli society.Strengthening Israel as a Jewish, Zionist and democratic state and shaping it as an exemplary society with a unique moral and spiritual character, marked by mutual respect for the multi-faceted Jewish people, rooted in the vision of the prophets, striving for peace and contributing to the betterment of the world.Ensuring the future and the distinctiveness of the Jewish people by furthering Jewish, Hebrew and Zionist education, fostering spiritual and cultural values and teaching Hebrew as the national language;Nurturing mutual Jewish responsibility, defending the rights of Jews as individuals and as a nation, representing the national Zionist interests of the Jewish people, and struggling against all manifestations of anti-Semitism;Settling the country as an expression of practical Zionism. 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