2
Purely Commentary
—
THE JEWISH NEWS
Friday, June 29, 1951
Israel's Bond Stamp
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
LONDON, (JTA)—Every op-
portunity is being taken to bring
pressure on Egypt to -permit the
transit of Israel-bound oil tank-
ers through the Suez Canal,
British Foreign Secretary Her-
bert Morrison told the House of
Commons.
Anthony Eden pointed out
that Britain has been trying to
persuade Egypt for two years to
give up the blockade with no
result. "There are measures in
our power which can be taken
together with our allies," he
insisted.
Morison replied he would be
willing to consider any sugges-
tions including a resolution by
Eden that the oil tankers be
sent to Haifa through the Suez
Canal under effective escort.
British newspapers urged
stronger pressure from England
on Egypt's blockade of Israel
shipping through the Canal. The
Daily Graphic said that the
Communist Drive Against Jews—Facts Are on Record
The facts are on the record and there is no denying them.
Communist-dominated countries are conducting a campaign to
destroy Judaism as an entity, to prevent Jews resident there from
going to Israel, to undermine all Jewish cultural undertakings.
Last week, two pro-Soviet countries, Hungary and Poland,
were exposed as seeking on the one hand—as in Hungary—to ex-
pel Jews from the capital city and on the other—in Poland—to
absorb Jews through "ideological re-education." In both instances,
Jews are prevented from going to Israel.
Victor Lasky, in an article in the National Jewish Monthly,
charges that "anti-Semitism in Russia is now in the stage of vio-
lence"; that "for the first time in Soviet history Jews are being
menaced physically." The USSR attitude is reflected in Budapest
and in Warsaw.
"The shocker," according to Lasky, is "that Stalin is not doing
anything to prevent violence against them," that "outbreaks
against Jews are regular occurrences in many parts of Russia,
particularly the Ukraine." And the tragedy is that there is still
speculation "whether anti-Semitism exists in the Soviet paradise."
Yet Jews are being singled out for special repressions—"not a
crackdown on Jews because they were bourgeoisie or kulaks, but
a crackdown on Jews as Jews—the classic name for which is anti-
Semitism."
We are reminded that only one Jewish writer has managed
to come through the Soviet period of "anti-Semitic upheaval with
his hide and huge income intact" and are told:
"But Ilya Ehrenburg was a Jew in name only and one of the
most slavish adherents of the Stalinist regime. Ehrenburg ap-
parently won his way back to favor by publicly insulting Mrs.
Golda Myerson, the first Israeli Minister to the USSR, at a dip-
lomatic reception. Within hearing of such foreign dignitaries
as Lt. Gen. Walter Bedell Smith, then the United States Ambas-
sador in Moscow, Ehrenburg said loudly: 'I can't bear to hear
English, especially when spoken by a Russian-born Jewess."
Lasky has a few things to say which we must make note of,
Replying to a message of
thanks from Louis Lipsky for
his support of proposals to aid
Israel, Congressman John D.
Dingell reiterated his strong ad-
herence to the Israel cause and
pledged his continued support
to the movement to aid the
Jewish state.
Pointing out that his own bill,
which antedated the present
Grant-in Aid measure for Israel,
asked for more than the pro-
posed $150,000,000, Rep. Dingell
wrote:
"In the good movement to aid
struggling Israel it is always an
honor to take part for it is in-
tended to aid humanity and
bring about stability and peace
all of which will make perma-
nent the prophecy of the Prom-
ised Land.
"Although the McCormack Bill
provides less than one-third of
the amount provided for in my
original bill, which antedates all
others, for the sake of earlier
action I am more than willing
to forego precedent, priority or
pride of authorship in order to
give maximum aid at the /earl-
iest possible moment. Time is
of the essence. Hunger, hard-
ship and mass privation must
be alleviated now."
"The new Soviet anti-Semitism is an invocation of the
scapegoat technique, which served Hitler so well. The Jews have
always been useful villains. On their shoulders can be placed
all the faults of the dictatorial regime. Even before World War
. II, anti-Semitism had been widespread in the Soviet Union.
. The tragic extent was disclosed by the Nazi invasion, when the
conquerors were greeted as liberators by millions of Russians,
And, according to Solomon Schwarz, of all the ideological non-
sense brought into the occupied Russian areas by the Nazis,
only Jew hatred met with staggering success.
"Another factor making for the new anti-Semitism is the
rise of Israel. The birth of the new Jewish state was greeted
with joy by the Jews - of Russia, as by their brethren everywhere.
But Zionism—even the teaching of the Hebrew language—has
long been forbidden by the Soviet regime. And in the USSR,
enthusiasm for any other nation leads to grim repercussions.
The un-Soviet behavior of the Russian Jews (who flocked to the
new Israel 'Embassy in lltloscow to seek visas to the Promised
Land, but were forbidden to leave) whipped the Politiburo to
Nazi4ike intensity in carrying out its already established anti-
Semitic program.
"Twice in our time the Jews have been the victims 0,1
mighty dictatorships. We had no tsouble in understanding the
tragedy in the first instance. How long before the world under-
stands the second?"
With these facts in view, we can understand why the position
of Jews in Poland, Romania and Hungary has become so desparate
and why our responsible movements have been so anxious to re-
move our kinsmen from Soviet-dominated areas.
Some Appropriate Stories About Communist Countries
Another United Nations World story, "born from the people's
misery," comes from Romania and deals with the Jewess, Ana
Pauker, whose father died in Israel recently. Ana has been the
bane of the. Zionists' existence. Here is the story:
"After waiting four hours in line to buy a pound of carrots
in the state-owned shop, a Romanian worker in Bucharest hears
that there are none left—and no other vegetables, either. Infur-
iated, he goes home, gets his gun and tells his wife that he is
going - to kill Ana Pauker. The wife tries to prevent him from
leaving, but in vain.
"A few hours later he returns home quiet and calm.
`Well, what happened?' " the wife asks him.
" 'I gave up. There, too, there was such a long line waiting.' "
Then there is this one, about Lithuania, also from United
Nations World:
"A citizen of Lithuania tells a friend: 'It's wonderful to be a
Lithuanian. Ours is the biggest country in the world.'
" 'How come?' the friend asks.
" 'Don't you know? Our western frontiers are on the _)3altic,
our capital is Moscow, and the majority,of our population lives in
Siberia.' " • .
This yarn helps make sense out of nonsense and _shows the
Europeans' belief in the superiority of the American aPproach to
truth:
"Somewhere in Hungary an old peasant woman in tears
comes to the local police station. 'My only cow disappeared
yesterday, what shall I do without her, poor me! I beg you to
help me to find her, wherever she is.'
"The official tries to reassure her: 'Don't worry. We will
make an announcement over the radio and surely you will get
your cow back.
"The woman left after thanking him a thousand times but
returned a few moments later.
"But please, send the message through the Voice of America,
otherwiSe nobody will listen to it'!"
Congressman Asks
Emergency FEPC Bill
'
United States had promised arms
to Egypt provided Egypt reaches
a political agreement with Eng-
land.
UNSC May Consider Blockade
*
*
*
NEW YORK, (JTA)—Israel
Ambassador to the United States,
Abba Eban, stated here that
Egypt's bloc k a de of Israel-
bound goods may be placed on
the agenda of the United Nations
Security Council in the near
future, and expressed the hope
that the U.S. would support Is-
rael's point of view.
Optimism was high here over
the chances.of approval by Con-
gress of the proposed grant-in-
aid from the American govern-
ment. Eban said that part of
the grant would be used to pur-
chase more grain in this coun-
try.
An event of major national
importance to Israel has been
Believe Eban in Talks
commemorated in the special
postage stamp issued in honor
On German Restitution
of the State of Israel $500,000,-
000 Independence Bond Issue. U. S. Jewish Leaders Will
Direct JTA Teletype Wires
to The Jewish News
The Bond Issue is the corner- Attend World Union Parley
stone of Israel's program of
WASHINGTON—Israel Ambas-
large-scale economic d e v e l o p-
A large delegation of religious sador Abba. Eban' on Tuesday
ment and immigrant absorption. and communal leaders from the
Dingell Reiterates
Pro-Israel Position
as a guide in judging the happenings in the USSR and in her
satellite countries. He writes:
There are a number of jokes which throw light on conditions
behind the iron curtain. Here is a story from Revue de la Pensee
Francaise of Paris about "Turkish Types":
"The Turkish Ambassador Numan Menemencioglue, was inter-
viewed by a Parisian reporter on the general state of mind in Tur-
key. 'In Turkey,' he said, 'we have two types of people—optimists
and pessimists. The optimists are studying English—the pessi-
mists Russian.' " '
Here is an excellent commentary on Poland from the United
Nations World: -
"A man came into the United Nations delegates' lounge look-
ing for a correspondent of the official Russian news agency Tass.
Approaching a writer he asked. 'Are you from Tass?'
" 'No. Polish Press Agency. Can I help you?'
" guess not,' the man answered. 'You're only demi-Tass.' "
British Bring Pressure on Blockade
By Egypt of Israel in Suez Canal
United States will join represen-
tatives from 11 other countries
at the 25th anniversary confer-
ence of the World Union for Pro-
gressive Judaism in London
from July 12 to 18, it was an-
nounced by the Hon. Lily H.
Montagu, honorary secretary of
World Union.
The conference will have as
its theme, "Judaism and Civili-
zation". Dr. Leo Baeck, president
of the World Union, will preside
over the sessions.
met with John J. McCloy, high
Commissioner for the -American
Zone of Germany, and it is
thought that the question of
German restitution for Jewish
property was discussed.
John H. Blandford, Jr., new
head of the United Nations Re-
lief and Works Agency, called on
Ambassador Eban for a discus-
sion of the Arab refugee situa-
tion. Blandford told of his hope
for the re-integration of Arabs
in Arab countries.
.
BetWeen You and Me
By BORIS SMOLAR
(Copyright, 1951, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)
Zionist Reflections
The fight within the ranks of the ZOA, between the followers
of Dr. Abba Hillel Silver and those who support Dr. Nahum Gold-
mann, has never ceased, not even diminished . • . This fight is
now finding expression in Dr. Silver's group which is supporting
the General Zionists in Israel while Dr. Goldmann's group is
favbring the Progregsive Party in Israel . . . Dr. Goldmann, al-
thongh. scheduled to speak at the ZOA convention, did not appear
there at all ... Many were wondering why he left the United
States just on the day when the ZOA convention opened at
Atlantic City . . . The formal explanation given by Dr. Goldmann
was that he must address a Zionist conference in Paris .. . How-:
ever, the Paris gathering, to all intents and purposes, could not
be as important to the Zionist movement as was the Atlantic City
parley, many of the delegates thought . .. Some delegates were
wondering what happened to the recommendations made by the
Rifkind Commission on the future program and constitution of
the World Zionist Organization . . The report of this Commis-
sion, headed by Judge Simon H. Rifkind, was approved. by a ZOA
convention two years ago—however, no action has ever been taken
by the ZOA to implement its recommendations . • . One of the
recommendations deals with the question of how to establish
cooperation between Zionists and non-Zionists in America—an
Issue which has now been raised also by Premier David Ben-
Gurion.
• WASHINGTON, (AJP)—Bronx The Charter Issue
It seems that on the issue of securing from the Israel govern-
Congressman, Rep. Isidore Dol-
linger, introduced a resolution ment a charter of the World Zionist Organization, the ZOA con-
in the House of vention has made a substantial step backward . .. Originally, all
R e presentatives leaders of the American Zionist groups requested that the World
calling on Presi- Zionist Organization should be recognized by Israel as "the repre
dent Truman to sentative of the Jewish people" outside of the Jewish state . . .
re .- e s tablish a They also stipulated that "no other public organization should be
Fair Emp 1 oy- permitted to operate in Israel," without the prior consent of the
m e nt Practices World Zionist executive . . . This would have meant that the
C o m mission in Joint Distribution Committee, or the HIAS, or the ORT, or any
government and similar group, would be dependent, with its projects in Israel,
defense i n d us- upon the will of the Zionist executive . . . The Atlantic City reso-
lution, demanding "constitutional independence and autonomy"
Dollinger
tries.
Israel for the World Zionist Organization, refrains from claim-
Dollinger's bill was one of a ser- in
ing monopoly on the Jewish people residing outside of Israel . .
ies of activities marking the It also does not stipulate that other organizations must seek
June 25 anniversary of the late Zionist consent if they wish to conduct relief work in Israel .. .
President Roosevelt's 1941 emer- All that the Atlantic City resolution insists upon is that the World
gency FEPC edict.
Zionist Organization must possess a special status in Israel and
Jewish organizations within retain freedom of action "in its own proper spheres" . . . The
the National Community Rela- resolution does not state what role the Jewish Agency is to play
tions Advisory Council have when the World Zionist Organization receives the requested "spe-
joined liberal, church, labor and cial status" in Israel . . . All Zionist leaders agree that, for legal-
civic groups in a full-scale cam- istic reasons, the Jewish Agency must continue to exist no matter
paign for enactment of an em- what the status of the World Zionist administration will be in
ergency FEPC by executive Israel . • . In fact, for the same legal 'reasons the' Israel Govern-
order.
ment would have to enter into agreement with the Jewish Agency
rather than with the, World Zionist Organization . • . However,
Israel Asks for UNESCO
the opinion of Zionist leaders is that the Jewish Agency can be
wholly under the control of the World Zionist Organization and
Intervention for Hebrew U.
that the executive of the WZO could become the governing body
PARIS, • (JTA) — Israel has of the Agency . . . Originally, the Jewish Agency was established
asked the UNESCO conference as a body in which Zionists and non-Zionists were equally
now in session here to use its represented.
good offices to persuade the Jor- Here and There
dan government to give Jews
Representatives of Israeli newspapers are now hunting , for
access to the Hebrew University newsprint in the United States ... There are 13 daily newspapers
buildings on Mt. Scopus in Jeru- published in Israel with a total circulation of 203,500 . . . Together
salem.
they need about 170 tons of newsprint ... The paper used by the
Israel also requested UNESCO New York Times for only one Sunday. issue would be sufficient 'to
financial aid for the forthcom- satisfy the need of all the Israeli newspapers for five months . .
ing "Conquest of the Desert" ex- Incidentally, the total circulation of the three Israeli evening
hilltions,, to be held in Jerusa, - papers is about 72,000, as compared with the 131,000 circulation
of all the 10 morning papers.
I ein.