Purely Commentary
16 Die in Israel's Worst Air Disaster
TEL AVIV, (JTA)—Sixteen
persons are known to be dead
and more than a score injured,
Marry C. Kenney Finds Impact in Isaiah's Vision
several seriously and not ex-
Here is a most remarkable picture. Your Commentator nom- pected to survive, in the after-
inates it for the first _prize in photography in our generation.
math to Israel's worst aerial
disaster, last week end.
The tragedy occurred when a
single-engine Piper Club plane
crashed into a building crowded
with people and burst into
flames. The plane was partici-
pating in a ceremony at Kib-
butz Maagan, near Degania, in
the Lake Kinneret vicinity. More
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Zionist Actions Group
Pledges Its 'Solidarity'
With People of Israel
It is reproduced from the Christian Science Monitor. It was
taken by Harry C. Kenney. Accompanying it, in the department
"The Scene of the Week," is this message referring to Isaiah 2:4,
(They shall beat their swordS into plowshares and their spears
into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more) addressed to "Dear Editor"
and signed Harry C. Kenney
I have been trying for months to get this verse into an
impact picture. Finally, a few days ago, they came together.
Each time I went to the United Nations I would go to
where the verse from Isaiah is inscribed on the wall of a build-
ing opposite the main UN structure.• It is in a sort of a little
park-bench area where one can sit and survey the meaning of
all that is there.
While I was again reading the verse three dead-end kids
came tearing around the corner, up the steps, and suddenly
stopped to read the verse. Fortunately, when I am in this kind
of a photogenic area, my pocket camera s at the hip.
After I snapped the picture without them knowing it,
one of them turned around and said to me:
"Hey mister, does that mean there ain't going to be war
any more ? ,,
-
Since they had baseball gloves, they soon ran off to the
sand lot—which is something new for dead-enders. The UN
has improved that area a good -deal.
Since there are. kids asking such questions; and since much
of the world is in fear of the H-bomb—the verse has impact,
hasn't it? •
Comment on this profound message is superfluous. The corres-
pondent-photographer has caught the spirit .of the great vision of
Isaiah and has transmitted it forcefully to his readers; -
Would that this message could be made part of a compulsory
course of study for every child in our public schools—and compul-
sory reading in all synagogues and churches, in every assembly hall
in the world.
Knowledge of, and adherence to, the great message of Isaiah
can go a long way also in solving the: tragic problem of juvenile
delincrency.
The verse does have impact. Universal usage might give it the
force it needs to assure peace and security -for all mankind.
•
•
•
The interesting Views of Artur Rubinstein
In an interview with a London Jewish Chronicle reporter,
Artur Rubinstein, the world famous pianist, expressed his view on
Jews in music that are worth passing on to American Jews.
Mr. Rubinstein remarked that the Jews are the most musical
people in the world and are, comparatively, the
most frequent concert-goers. He said: "When-
ever there is a Jewish holiday, the halls are prac-
tically empty," and added: "If you look at musi-
cal movements and accomplishments, you will find
that most of the names behind them are Jewish
names. They are certainly the greatest supporters
of music and of art in general."
The great pianist offered an interesting explana-
tion why he believes Jews are more interpreta-
tive than creative, although there are a number
of well known Jewish composers. He said it is be-
cause Jews have such a great gift for intelligent
penetration into other people's ideas and are so
Rubinstein sensitive to those ideas.
Mr. Rubinstein said of Ernest Bloch that the is a very fine
and original composer and has added much to musical values."
Of himself, the pianist said that he was internationalist in
music—"un-Jewish, un-religious and un-anything." It was differ-
ent, he said, in politics, but in music he disliked being a parti-
san and would not play Jewish music simply because he was a
Jew, but only because of the intrinsic merits of the music.
About the pianist himself : He was born in Poland 65 years ago
and became an American citizen in 1946. He had befriended Chaim
Weizmann and Nahum Sokolow. His father was a Hebrew scholar
who wrote articles in the Warsaw Hazfirah when it was edited by
Sokolow. The Rubinsteins' four children—two daughters aged
20 and 9 and two sons aged 19 and 7—all study the piano and are
talented. His elder daughter, an actress and dancer, currently is
appearing in a play on Broadway.
Artur Rubinstein gave a series of concerts in Israel in 1951; 12
of them with the Israel Philharmonic. Prior to that time he had
already visited Palestine three times and gave concerts there. On
his first visit, in 1922, he had to play in a hangar in Tel Aviv for
lack of other facilities. He was in Palestine again in 1924 and in
1933. After his appearance in Israel in 1951, he left a sum of
$10,000 as prizes for promising students.
Such is the remarkable story of a remarkable man. He de-
serves the overflow gatherings that greet him whenever a con-
cert of his is announced.
2—DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Friday, Auguat 69 1954
. k k4FitTr
:as
JERUSALEM, ( J T A ) — The
World Zionist Actions Commit-
tee has adopted a resolution ex-
pressing the solidarity of the
Zionist movement with the peo-
ple of Israel "in the struggle to
safeguard the sovereignity, se-
curity and free development of
the Jewish State."
In another resolution, the su-
preme Zionist body between
World Zionist congresses ex-
pressed its sympathy for the
Zionist leaders imprisoned in
Romania, and demanded that
the Romanian government open
the gates for all Jews who wish
to migrate to Israel.
The committee adopted a 111,-
800,000 pound budget for the
Jewish Agency activities for the
coming fiscal year. The major
portion of the budget, 66,000,000
pounds, has been allocated for
agricultural settlement work.
The committee also ratified
unanimously the agreement be-
tween the Israel government
and the Agency providing a spe-
cial status for the Agency's ac-
tivities in Israel. Eliahu Dobkin,
head of the Agency's organiza-
tion department, made a strong
plea for reorganization of the
Zionist organization outside Is-
rael on the basis of territorial
federations.
Israel's Finance MiniSter Levi
Eshkol told the session that the
Agency now had 420 settlements
which it had established and
for which it was responsible, 393
of which had been set up since
the State of Israel was pro-
claimed. He said that some 30,-
000 families make their living
in these settlements and culti-
vate some 3,500;000 dunams
(875,000 acres) of land.
Members of the committee at-
tended the ceremony of laying
a cornerstone for the archives
which will be part of the Yad
Veshem — the Israel memorial
to the 6,000,000 Jews .martyred
in Europe by the Nazis. Also
present at the ceremony were
President Itzhak Ben Zvi and
members of the Israel Cabinet.
The ceremony was broadcast on
a national radio hook-up.
The archives and library will
house some 15,000 documents—
letters, official orders and books
—touching upon the tragedy of
European Jewry. The building,
which will be completed within
about one year, will cost 1,200,000
pounds. The funds are being
contributed by the Israel gov-
ernment, Conference on Jewish
Material Claims Against Ger-
many, Jewish Agency, national
funds and private contributors.
Egypt Arrests Israelis
As Terrorist Conspirators
LONDON, (JTA)—The Egyp-
tian Ministry of Interior an-
nounced that three "stateless
Israelis" have been arrested on
charges of planting incendiary
bombs on July 14 in United
States Information Agency li-
braries in Cairo and Alexandria.
An Egyptian communique said
three Jews "confessed" also to
putting incendiary devices in the
Alexandria post office and in
theaters in Cairo. and Alexandria.
The Egyptians notified the
United States Embassy that a
Jew Philip H. Nathanson, was
arrested for possession of fire
bomb equipment while two other
Jews were implicated, a report
from Cairo said.
,
than 2,000 persons had gath-
ered for the unveiling of a monu-
ment to Jewish parachutists Who
had dropped behind the Nazi
lines in Europe during the war
in attempts to save sections of
European Jewry.
Premier Moshe Sharett and
members of his Cabinet who
were present narrowly escaped
injury. The plane hit some 30
feet from where the Premier
and his party stood. Mr. Sharett
participated in the rescue of the
pilot of the doomed plane. After-
wards, the Premier visited the
injured in Tiberias Hospital
where they had been taken. Re-
sidents of Tiberias and of all
villages and settlements in the
area flocked to the hospital to
contribute blood for the victims.
The pilot said his plane
plunged out of control when it
hit an air pocket just above the
building where the crowd was
gathered. He was attempting to
lower a message from President
Ben Zvi to the meeting at the
!time of the crash. An official in-
vestigating committee, headed by
Knesset deputy Ishar Ilarari, has
already been appointed by Mr.
Sharett.
Among the known dead—many
of whom were burned beyond
the point of immediate recogni-
tion—were four men who had
survived parachute missions be-
hind the Nazi lines and had
come to the ceremony to pay
honor to those of their comrades
who had been apprehended and
murdered by the Germans. The
four were: Arieh Picahmn, Sha-
lom Pingi, Lyova Gukovsky and
Lt. Col. Dov Harari.
Another victim was Daniel Si-
reny, son of Ancio Sireny, Jew-
ish parachutist who jumped be-
hind the Italian lines during the
war. The sixth victim, who was
identified was Mrs. Yoney Kesse,
wife of the secretary general of
the Mapai Party who is also a
leader in the Knesset.
Four Jews Killedhy Arab Mob
in Pogrom ire French Morocco
Direct JTA Teletype Wire to The Jewish News
RABAT, French Morocco — An Arab mob Tuesday
staged an anti-Jewish pogrom which developed from a dem-
onstration against the French in the town of Petitjean. At
least four Jewish shopkeepers were killed and other Jews
injured.
A mab estimated at between 700 to 800 Arabs stormed
the streets of Petitjean attacking Jews, destroying Jewish
property, wounding the Police Commissioner and burning
the police station.
The four Jews were killed while attempting to defend
their shops.
Police employed machine guns to repel the attackers.
Four rioters were killed and 13 wounded. The riot ended
when police reinforcements were rushed to the scene from
Port Lyautey and elsewhere.
Violence also erupted 40 miles from Petitjean in the
town of Fez.
Between You and Me
By BORIS SMOLAR
(Copyright,:4954, Jewish Telegraphic -Agency, Inc.)
,
-
An American Plan
A six-point plan demanding that IsraeI make concessions as
a first step toward relaxing Arab-Israeli tension has been prepared
by Arthur Gardiner, high. State Department official . The six
points include repatriation of some Arab refugees, payment of
compensation by Israel to Arab refugees for property lost in
Palestine, agreement through the United Nations on Jordan water
distribution' . . Also that Israel should convince the Arab that
she has no aggressive intensions and that she should show more
"understanding and consideration" of the Arabs. . . The details
of the proposed six-point plan are by now known in Israel, and
objection has been expressed that no such demands for a goodwill
gesture have been made to the Arabs . . . What Israel wants is an
overall peaceful arrangement, and not patchwork appeasement
. . However, the six proposals, some of which would be acceptable
to Israel, fly in the face of Israel's desires, and are considered a
complete sop to the Arabs ... In the view of leading Israelis the
proposals are designed to prove to the Arabs that Israel can be
forced to make concessions without receiving anything in return
. .. There is no doubt that the Israelis would welcome any sincere
attempt to relax the tension and resolve the hostility .. , However,
they have their reservations as to how this can be done, and how
far they can go in this direction . . The fact that the- Gardiner
plan is addressed to Israel alone is definitely not to Israel's liking
and it seems unlikely that Israel will agree to it.
* • *
British Moods
-
What is behind the reports that Britain is seeking an arrange-
ment, with Israel to establish a .defense base in Haifa, now that she
is to evacuate her troops from the Suez Canal area? . I have
been asked this question from various sides and the answer I 'can
give is that these reports are not correct . . The British
government never approached the Israel government with any
suggestion regarding the possibility of transferring British troops
from the Suez area in Egypt to Israel territory . -.• However,
unofficially this matter was broached by Herbert Morrison, former
British Foreign Minister and leader of the British Labor Part*
when he recently. visited Israel ... It is an open secret that he
proposed that the British Army of the Suez Canal zone be lodged
somewhere in the Negev ... Israel, it is understood, is not willing
to have British troops on her territory because her sovereignty
over that territory is still too recent to permit its being "traded
away" for military bases . . . An indication to this effect was
given in the Israeli Parliament by Premier Moshe Sharett several
weeks ago . . Contrary to the belief prevalent in the United States
that the Arab countries are united in their stand on world affairs,
Britain knows that if there were no Israel today, the Arab rulers
would be fighting with one another as they are now fighting Israel
. In fact, they are fighting among themselves despite their unity
in their opposition to Israel , . . The happy game of inter-Arab
intrigue is expected to be intensified now that Iraq is to get
military aid from the United States . . . Egypt is already mustering
other Arab governments against Iraq, which she fears will grow too
strong by virtue of American arms . . . In the light of this rivalry
among the Arab countries, Britain feels that the transfer. to Israel
of some of its Suez troops would greatly serve the cause of the
Western Powers .. Especially since Israel can be relied upon more
than any of the Arab countries to be pro-West in the event of a
conflict with Russia in the Middle East ... However, no off
approach on this matter has so far been made- by the ritisli
government to the government
of Israel.