Report Arab Moves for Peace With Israel
Turbulent Scenes in Knesset
During Debate on USSR Policy
LONDON, (JTA) — Sensational for a settlement of outstanding
reports that the Arab States had issues, provoked surprise and
reached agreement to conduct discussion here this week.
direct negotiations with Israel
The usually well - informed
Purely Commentary
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
A Cartoon With a Moral
We reproduce here a cartoon from the Christian Science Mon-
itor which suggests an important moral: those who solicit for
worthy causes should know and • understand their movements.
There are many—too many—people who are ready to get on the
_3 bandwagon for any cause,—just
to keep busy. But since primary
things must be placed first on
the communal agenda, it would
be safer for all concerned, and
especially for the causes we strive
for, if the objectives were fully
understood. When they are under-
stood, the causes will receive the
full measure of support they de-
serve. When understood, pledges
will be paid, Fortunately, most
people do pay their pledges.
Those who are delinquent appar-
ently do not know the admoni-
tion in Ecclesiates (5:4) : "Better
is it that thou shouldest not now,
.11•••
••••4
than
that thou shouldest vow
The Christian Science Monitor
and not pay." The moral: know
"I've forgotten the name of your cause, help support it and
our cause, sir, but I'm sure it is do not fail to pay your pledge.
■■
worthy of your donation!" * * *
Yiddish Slang on TV: Jest or Insult?
A non-Jewish showman's interpretations of Yiddish terms
has become a matter of debate in Jewish circles in New York.
The meaning he gave to words like "fahrblundzhen," "fahrsh-
nusket," and others, have caused general hilarity, but not in cul-
tural circles where his interpretations have been branded "an
outrage and an insult to the Yiddish language." In truth, the
showman should not be blamed. When Jews will stop falling all
over themselves with acclaim for those who tickle their vanity
with Yiddish references, the abuse will cease. We have been
treated—on stage, radio and TV—to the very things which an
undignified audience has invited. Demand dignity, and you'll
get it.
Cairo newspaper, Rose-el-Youc-
sef, was the source for the new
reports. The paper reported that
the Arab States had agreed to
enter into negotiations with Is-
rael.
Comments by Sir Zafrullah
Khan,, Foreign Minister of
Pakistan, made in an in inter-
view in Cairo, lent some weight
to the Arab paper's report. The
Pakistani diplomat told news-
men that no Middle East de-
fense could be set up without
settlement of essential issues
between the Arab States and
Israel. Asked if Pakistan would
be willing to enter into an
agreement with Israel, he re-
plied that if the Arab states
were prepared to cooperate
with Israel, he would have no
objection.
Israel's F o r e i g n Minister
Moshe Sharett, prior to his de-
parture from Tel Aviv for Lon-
don, expressed satisfaction with
Sir Zafrullah's statement. He
said that Israel had expressed
her will and still wishes to con-
clude peace with her neighbors.
In Washington, informed
sources reported that Azzam
Pasha, secretary-general of the
Arab League, would visit the
capital in the near future to
discuss possible Arab participa-
tion in the Middle East Com-
mand. A State Department
spokesman said the department
had no official knowledge of the
visit and denied Arab press re-
ports that Azzam Pasha was
coming as guest of the depart-
ment.
Israel Diplomat Visits India
TEL AVIV , (JTA)—Dr. Walter
Eytan, director-general of the
Foreign Ministry, left this week
for New Delhi, following receipt
of an invitation from the Indian
government. He said prior to his
departure that the purpose of
his mission was to foster friendly
relations between the two coun-
tries and denied the visit was
connected with reports of alleged
Mrs. FDR and the Lebanese
Ernie Hill, Chicago Daily News correspondent, whose articles Indian mediation between Is-
have been tinged with pro-Arab and anti-Israeli comments, now is rael and the Arab States.
in his proper environment: in Beirut. From Lebanon he now
reports about the antagonistic attitude towards Mrs. Franklin D. Israel Asks Soviet Permit
Roosevelt who has just concluded a tour of Israel, Arab territories, Emigration of Russian Jews
JERUSALEM, (JTA) — Israel
India and Pakistan.
We are indebted to Mr. Hill for his revealing story regarding has asked the Soviet government
the attitude of the Lebanese. He lets us in' on facts which have to permit the emigration of Jews
not been a secret to us: that an anti-American attitude exists from Soviet Russia to Israel, Pre-
among Arabs. He quotes Arab sources as condemning Mrs. Roose- mier David Ben-Gurion revealed
velt's viewpoint on the Arab refugee question, with special refer- in the Knesset. The request was
ence to the following from the newspaper Beirut El Massa: "Mrs. made in Israel's reply to the
Roosevelt should wrap one of those American-donated blankets Moscow demarche of Dec. 8 on
around her head when she visits the Arab refugees at Sidon so the subject of the proposed Mid-
she will not be able to see the shame that has come to them . . dle East Command.
The premier's disclosure came
Our distinguished visitor is one of those who supported Israeli
during a debate on a Communist
aggression . . . "
Thus, the Lebanese, who were among the first to lose their motion attacking Israel's foreign
battle against Israel, continue to speak in terms of "aggression,"— policy, a debate which provoked
pulling the wool over the eyes of their citizens whom they seek one of the most turbulent scenes
to fool into believing that Israel was the aggressor. They forget in 'the history of the Knesset. It
so easily: that Israel was the defender against the Arab states followed a motion by Commun-
ist deputy Meir Wilner for dis-
after the Nov. 29, 1947, United Nations partition decision.
Arab refugees are well trained. When Mrs. Roosevelt sug- cussion of "Israel's methodical
gested, "Why do you not try to make or build something for your- negotiations" with the United
selves?", they shouted to her: "We want to go back to our homes States and England for the in-
in Israel." That's Mr. Hill's story. He quotes the same comment clusion of Israel in "the planning
twice, the second time when Mrs. Roosevelt said, "Since that is of a world war in this part of
impossible now, why don't you plant a few things or do something the world."
In reply • to the Communist
to occupy your time and your minds?" The. repetition smacks of
demand, which was eventually
good propaganda training.
Mrs. Roosevelt's chief sin, as reflected in Mr. Hill's report, is turned down by Parliament Ben-
that she sees Israel as an existing fact and that she believes Gurion restated Israel's policy on
"that the 800,000 Arab refugees in Lebanon, • Syria, Jordan and the Middle East command' by
Egypt should be moved into sparsely settled areas of Arab coun- reading the reply made by his
tries and assimilated." But the Arabs desire to perpetuate the government to a recent Soviet
refugee problem as a weapon against Israel. Even when the note protesting discussions of the
Jewish state offered to take half of them back, the Arab states command.
The Communist deputy had
refused to cooperate. All weapons are being sharpened to harm
cited
reports to the effect that
Israel. Therefore Israel must remain on the defensive—making
the reconstruction task all the more difficult. The Israeli battle Israel had acquiesced to a four-
is for defense not only on militarized boundaries of the small power request that she place
state but also against the destructive propaganda machine. It some 200,000 men under the
spells strain for Israel and responsibility for those who desire to supreme command of Egyptian
see justice done to the Jews to come to their aid in the struggle King Farouk and under the
patronage" of the U. S.
for existence.
Disorder broke out in the
A Salute to Hadassah's 40th Birthday on Purim
chamber when the Premier said
Hadassah does a major portion of healing in Israel, The Worn-- that he could not be certain
en's Zionist movement pioneered in establishing hospitals in the whether there was less truth or
Holy Land. The American women's organization undertook the less common sense displayed in
establishment of health centers in Palestine. Hadassah continues deputy Wilner's comments. Wil-
to sponsor child welfare stations and medical centers in Israel ner charged that the Premier
and is laying plans for a medical school in the Jewish state. Ha- was responding to a political
dassah's accomplishments will be recorded indelibly in world attack with a personal attack.
history. We salute this great movement on its 40th birthday, oc- Then, when the catcalls from
curring on Purim.
the Communist and Mapam
'Speak Up! Freedom Needs Exercise!'
benches had subsided, the Pre-
For its fearless campaign to encourage people to speak up for mier charged the Communists
freedom and not to be frightened into silence—under the above with supporting the Arabs dur-
title—we salute another American Jewish women's organization, ing the 1929 anti-Jewish riots,
the Council of Jewish Women. The cause of freedom can be and with supporting the 1939
harmed more by silence than by any other weapon, barring none, Nazi-Soviet pact. Wilner called
not even the totalitarian menace. Totalitarianism—fascism and the Premier a "liar" and the cat-
communism—can best be fought by speaking up for democracy. calls resumed.
The Israeli memorandum
The Council of Jewish Women has hit upon an important need
when it issued the call that we exercise our freedom by speaking
up. Speak up for democracy has been a motto for a long time; 2 THE JEWISH NEWS
now we are asked to exercise it. It is a commendable call to action.
Friday, March '7, 1952
—
•
pointed out that Israel had not
been invited to join the com-
mand, therefore the problem
had not come to Israel's atten
tion in the form that would
was condemned as bordering - in
genocide and crimes against hil-
1 inanity and staunchly defended
by the Communists as justified.
In a moving speech, Progre&-
sive deputy Idov Cohen described
to the house the current wave of
arrests of Zionists in Romania.
require it to take a stand on
the issue. However, the note
told the Soviet Union, the
powers sponsoring the com-
Throughout the several
mand had assured Israel that
speeches supporting the resolu-
it had no aggressive aims.
tion, there were continuous
Israel sees as her paramount
interruptions from the Com-
problem the threat to her own
munists and the speaker was
security posed by the Arab
able to maintain order only
states' refusal to sign peace
with great difficulty.
treaties with her, The note
The storm burst in all its
said. It emphasized that
fury, however, when Commun-
Israel also considers that peace
ist Deputy Wilner ascended the
is not a divisible problem and
dais and denied that arrests
that all United Nations mem-
had taken place and said that
bers, headed by the great pow-
if they had, "the Romanian
ers, are obligated to act en-
authorities probably had good
ergetically to remove this
reason and those who were
threat hanging over Israel and
arrested might have been Nazi
the Middle East. The note also
collaborators or spies or crimi-
pointed out that Israel is dedi-
nals."
cated to the task of helping
Several deputies attempted to
maintain world peace and rush the dais to attack Wilner
guarding her "dearest posses- but were restrained. He con-
sion" which was achieved after tinued, after order had been re-
a prolonged fight and many stored, by referring to "Zionists
sacrifices — her independence detained in Israel prisons for
and national savereignty.
criminal deeds." This provoked
The note stressed that Israel
has not agreed and will not
agree to any aggressive acts
against Russia or any other
peace-loving country. • It also
denied emphatically reports pub-
lished in the Soviet press during
the last two years of the exist-
ence of alleged foreign bases in
Israel. These news items are
completely false, the note em-
phasized, because theere are no
foreign bases on Israel's ter-
ritory. But, it added, such news
reports are bound to affect
relations between the U.S.R.R.
and Israel, although Israel de-
sires to maintain friendly rela-
tions with the Soviet Union.
The Israeli note then point-
ed out that the chief aim of
the State of Israel is the
return of Jews to the Jewish
State and that the Israel gov-
ernment knows that only by
maintaining peace throughout
the world and by maintaining
normal relations with various
states can this aim be
achieved. It. then asked the
Soviet Union to make possible
the migration to Israel of all
Soviet Jews who wish to do so,
particularly since this is in
complete accord with Russia's
policy of equality and self-de-
termination of every nation.
.
Persecution of Z i o n i s t s in
Romania was the subject of one
of the most dramatic debates in
the history of Israel's Parliament
as Romanian treatment of Jews
another outburst from the out-
raged house and it was some
time before Wilner was able to
finish his tirade.
A motion to expunge his re-
marks from the record was re-
ferred to the Knesset committee
for decision.
Israel Feels Impact of
New Policies in Layoffs
JERUSALEM, (JTA) — Israel
began to feel the hardships
which Premier Ben-Gurion had
warned would be a. temporary
effect of the new economic
poliCy instituted by the govern-
ment. Mounting prices and lay-
offs in industrial enterprises
were reported.
A 15 per cent in the cost of
bread went into effect. An in-
crease in the price of some vege-
tables and other commodities
went into. effect a short time
later.
• Minister of Trade an .4: In-
dustry Dov Joseph met with
renresentatives of five good
gift companies opera“..ig; in
Israel to inform them of
changes the govermn— t in-
tends to introduce in . the
"scrip system."
Three Years' Austerity
TEL AVIV, (JTA)—The aus
terity regime in Israel will last
for three more years, Premier
David Ben-Gurion warned at
the closing session of a Mapai
central council parley
Between You and Me
By BORIS SMOLAR
(Copyright, 1552, Jewish Telegraphic
Agency,
Inc.)
Reparations Talks
Members of the praesidium of the Conference on Jewish
Material Claims Against Germany 'are packing their valises .
Some of them are leaVing New York this week for Brussels where
the reparations talks with Germany are to open March 17 .
Prior to the opening of the negotiations, there will be preliminary
meetings in Brussels between Israeli representatives and 'Confer-
ence leaders, although each of the two groups will conduct- separ-
ate talks with the German representatives . ; . The conference is
now seeking to enlist Isadore Lubin, member of the American
delegation to the United Nations, to head. the group of experts
who will conduct the negotiations with Germany on behalf of the
Jewish communities outside of Israel .. If Mr. Lubin is not
available—in the event that he cannot obtain a leave of absence
from his U. S. government job—the conference may approach
Milton Katz, head of the ECA .. A fine group of American Jewish
economic and legal experts are already working on the prepara-
tion of the claims which will be presented to Germany ... Records
on confiscated Jewish property which were kept by German . inSti-
tutions during the Nazi regime are now in Jewish hands ... They
include lists of the names of Jews from whom property was taken
away, or who were forced to pay special fines as Jews . . . On the
basis of these records, it is estimated that at least $14,000.000,000
worth of Jewish property was confiscated or looted by the Nazis in
Germany, Austria, Poland, France, Holland, Belgium and other
countries • • . The present claims to Germany presented by both
Israel and the Jewish communities outside of Israel will hardly
total $2,000,000,000 . . . Israel was already asked by German offi-
cials to present a list of commodities which the Jewish State
would be prepared to take from. Germany as part of the repara-
tions . . Such a list is now being prepared, and it can be pre-
dicted that ships will be included as item number one.
U. S. and Israel
Whatever the effects of Israel's new economic policy may be,
Bruce MacDaniel, head of the technical aid mission which the
U. S. government has set up in the Jewish state, will henceforth
be the person who will have a decisive say in the economy of
Israel . . Working from Tel Aviv, he will allocate American
grant-in-aid funds to local beneficiaries . . . Opponents of the
United States in Israel, such as the. leftwing Mapam Party and
the Communists, charge that MacDaniel will become the economic
dictator of the country ... But the 'business sector in Israel thinly
it a good thing that experienced AmeriCah economists will now
take a real part In the finances .and industry of the Jewish state: