Zionists not Zionist enough for Zionist Federation UK

Here's an interesting piece on the Jewish Telegraphic Agency's website.

Britain’s Zionist Federation defended its decision not to admit a dovish group that defines itself as pro-Israel but opposes Israeli settlements. 

Paul Charney, the federation president, said in a statement Thursday that the application by Yachad was rejected by "a clear majority" of the umbrella group's national council. 

"You need to show you are supporters of Israel and will defend Israel where needed," Charney told the London Jewish Chronicle. "Yachad have not shown enough,” he said, adding: “If you look at their website, their visits to Israel [sic] are only to Hebron and east Jerusalem. They supported the Palestinian statehood bid at the United Nations.”

So here's a group that might actually mean it when they say they support a two-state solution though about this time last year, Antony Lerman wasn't convinced of how effective Yachad might be.

But Yachad is hopeful of eventually being accepted by ZFUK (my favourite acronym btw):

In his statement, Charney wrote that Herut, a center-right organization, was also initially rejected but was admitted after re-applying. Yachad may re-apply for admission in six months.

Now that's interesting.  Herut was the party of Menachem Begin and was the subject of an open letter in the New York Times signed by various self-described zionists including Hannah Arendt and Albert Einstein:

Among the most disturbing political phenomena of our times is the emergence in the newly created state of Israel of the "Freedom Party" (Tnuat Haherut), a political party closely akin in its organization, methods, political philosophy and social appeal to the Nazi and Fascist parties. It was formed out of the membership and following of the former Irgun Zvai Leumi, a terrorist, right-wing, chauvinist organization in Palestine. (...) It is inconceivable that those who oppose fascism throughout the world, if correctly informed as to Mr. Begin's political record and perspectives, could add their names and support to the movement he represents. (...) Today they speak of freedom, democracy and anti-imperialism, whereas until recently they openly preached the doctrine of the Fascist state. It is in its actions that the terrorist party betrays its real character; from its past actions we can judge what it may be expected to do in the future.[from Wikipedia]

Now Herut is in the lobby and Yachad are waiting in the lobby to the lobby.  There is a crucial difference.  Herut were Israel's future.  Yachad is a thing of the past.