Herman Wouk's
Newest Novel:
The U.S. Peace
Proposals
Disappointment
In Store for
Jewish Readers
On the Eve of
Another School Year
Commentary, Page 2
VOLUME 27, No. 26
of Jewish Events
Anti-Semitism
and the Negroes
Michigan's Only English-Jewish Newspaper—Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle
7, 27
17100 W, 7 MILE RD., Detroit 35—VErmont 8-9364--September 2, 1955
Editorials, Page 4
$4.00 Per Year, Single Copy 15c
Israel Demands Egypt Be Held
Responsible for Terrorizing
Population, Killing Civilians
Rescue of North African Jewry Demanded -
'Let Us Act Today, Tomorrow
May Be Too Late,' Is French
Leader's Plea for Endangered
•
Jewries i n Morocco, Tunisia
(Copyright, 1955, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)
An intensified campaign for action to transfer the Jews of North Africa to Israel fol-
lowed on the heels of savage Arab -nationalist rioting in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia
which took a toll of more than a thousand lives, including an underterminable number of
Jews, many more casualties, and extensive property destruction including the almost
complete devastation of all Jewish homes and shops in the town of Mazagan.
The Israel government will raise a special fund of 40 million pounds to aid in fi-
nancing the immigration of Jews from North Africa to Israel, it became known when
the Treasury announced a new tax impost, the proceeds of which will be assigned to this
fund. The Treasury said the new tax would be levied on building materials. This is ex-
pected to bring - in about 14 million pounds.
Although the riots were. primarily directed against the French regime, in Mazagan,
an Acab mob, led by screaming, veiled women, turned its chief attention to the Jewish
quarter and put it to the torch. More than a thousand Jews were left homeless there. A
total of 2,000 fled to shelter in a stadium outside the town and appealed for immediate
evacuation to Israel. Food was provided the refugees by the Joint Distribution Com-
mittee and the OSE and other Jewish organizations furnished medical and other relief.
Jews were also victims of the nationalist uprising in Safi, Que Zane, Knenifra and Oued Zem.
latter town was attacked by Berber tribesmen from the hills.
In Tunis, a demonstration by unemployed Arabs was converted into an attack on Jewish shops
which were looted and destroyed. The onset took place in the Hara, Jewish quarter of the city.
The first attack was soon checked by police, who dispersed the crowds without any casualties.
A few hours later the Moslem mobs renewed their attacks on the Jewish stores in the Hara
quarter. Police reinforcements had to be rushed to the area to restore order.
The
In Jerusalem, as word of the disorders reached Israel, recent immigrants from North Africa
demonstrated before the offices of the Jewish Agency and demanded the speediest possible im-
migration of all Jews facing danger in the current tense situation in North Africa. Agency
members met with a delegation of the demonstrators and promised to do their utmost to comply
with their request.
The pressing problem of the immigration of North African Jews to Israel continued to occupy
the attention of the Zionist Actions Committee session in Jerusalem. North African leaders them-
selves presented the case for immediate full-scale transport of Jews from the riot-ridden. areas.
Andre Blumel, president of the French Zionist Federation, pointed out that while the numerous
declarations by the French government that Moroccan Jews would be protected, would be
honored, the situation remained perilous, and Israel must do her best to facilitate immigration
from North Africa. Moroccan and Tunisian Jews, he said, were threatened economically. He also
pointed out that since the Jews side with the French, their security could not be effectively
guaranteed.
Mr. Blumel appealed to the Actions Committee t _ o remove all stumbling blocks in the way
of large-scale immigration. "When the new Tunisian government is formed in a few weeks," the
French leader declared, "it is possible that certain technical difficulties in the way of emigra-
tion may be eliminated. But let us act today, for tomorrow may be too late."
A. Sabah, vice chairman of the Zionist Federation of Morocco, told the Committee that the
Moroccans had been struggling for 15 years for their national independence, but that the Jews
of Morocco had taken no part in that struggle. Some Moroccan leaders, he reported, had said that
Jews would retain their liberties in a future Moroccan state, and others had said they would be
permitted to emigrate freely—but without being allowed to take their property.
In any event, he continued, many Jews had already been deprived of their livelihood,
having been replaced by Arab tradesmen. The Jews of Morocco, said M. Sabah, were living in a
Special JTA Teletype Wires to The Jewish News
JERUSALEM--Replying to the proposal made by Maj.
Gen. E. L. M. Burns, UN truce chief in Palestine, for a cease
fire proposal, Israel's Foreign Office said on Wednesday that
it does not attach any importance whatever to Egypt's con-
sent to cease fire, unless Egypt "accepts responsibility for
acts of terror and is ready to give guarantees for immediate
and complete cessation of all further hositilities in strictest
compliance with its obligations under the armistice."
The Foreign Office reply to Burns notes "with regret
that the Burns' letter proceeds from the assumption of a
common responsibility of Israel and Egypt for these events.
However, responsibility for these acts attribute directly
and' solely to the Egyptian 'terrorist units from Egyptian
armed forces, waylaying and killing civilians, planting
mines and seeking to terrorize our population. These out-
rages are not merely sanctioned and indeed initiated by
Egyptians but are glorified by its official spokesmen as
well as by the government-controlled press and propaganda
agencies. Under these circumstances, the Israel government
is compelled to invite you to obtain assurances from the
Egytian government that it-accepts responsibility for these
acts."
Walter Reuther Upholds Israel's
Moral Obligation to Self-Defense
TEL AVIV—Walter Reuther, president of the CIO, said
on his arrival at Tel Aviv. Wednesday, when asked to com-
ment on the latest Egyptian attacks:
"If any homeland is invaded, then the people of the in
vaded country have a moral right and an obligation to
stand up and defend it. If Israel is invaded, no matter from
what side, the people of Israel have a right and a moral ob-
ligation to stand up and fight for it."
On the Dulles proposals, he said they deserve sympa-
thetic consideration. He said he bore best wishes to Israel
and Histadrut from CIO's five million-members. -
An Israel military spokesman announced Wednesday
that there were further attacks by Egyptian infiltrators. Ex-.
plosives were placed on a house in Nachla and one settler
was wounded. In the southern district, another military car
was attacked but no casualties were reported.
U. S. Enters Truce Picture
By MILTON FRIEDMAN
Jewish News'—JTA Washington Corresondent
Direct JTA Teletype Wires to The Jewish News
WASHINGTON—The United States within the last 43
hours made direct representations in Israel and Egypt, urg.
ing both parties to refrain from use of force in the Gaza
vicinity, Secretary of State Dulles revealed at his press con-
ference Wednesday. He said the American view was made
through diplomatic channels in Egyptian and Israel Capitals.
He said as yet he heard nothing from either side regard.
ing peace suggestions he outlined in his speech last, Fridays
No government has so far asked for clarification, he said.
(Continued on Page 24).
state of unrest because the antagonisims which had been smoldering for years had'now broken
out in full force. He concluded with an appeal to save the lives of 100,000 JewS in Morocco who
are willing to come to Israel.
The head of the Zionist Federation of Algeria, S. Narboni, warned the Actions Committee
that greater efforts must be made to ensure the emigration of Algerian Jews before danger
strikes. He was followed by M. Blitti, chairman of the Tunisian Zionist Federation, who des-
cribed the situation in - Tunis as one of chaos and di s order, in which the Jews are the first victims.
He stressed that economic suffering bad alread y been visited on them and that Jewish youth was
being barred from leading a productive life in many economic areas.
The situation, M. Blitti continued, appeared to be hopeless, as fanatacism and totalitarianism
were on the march in the Arab "countries. The situation was particularly tragic, he continued, for
the Jewish middle class in those countries. "Everything possible must be done to evacuate Jews
from those areas, even if logic appears to be against such an operation," he said. He concluded by
asking for the establishment of a special North African office within the Jewiih Agency and for
the relaxation of medical standards in order that greater numbers might be rescued immediately.
A strong tendency among Jewish Agency leaders in Jerusalem in the direction of declaring an
immediate all-out immigration of North African Jews was noted following the reports from
North Africa presented to sessions of the Zionist Actions Committee.
The threat of an "illegal" emigration by North African Jews who are presently kept out by
Israel's limitation of immigration was voiced by A. Fingerhut, Chief Rabbi of Algiers.
At Aix-Les-Bains, French Premier Edgar F cure received Jacques Dahan, leader of the Mo-
roccan Jewish delegation to the Franco-Moroccan talks aimed at restoring order in Morocco, for
a discussion of the delegation's viewpoint on the projected settlement. The Moroccan Jewish delega-
tion welcomed "with great satisfaction, the announcement of democratic reform which will inaugu-
rate a new era for Morocco and for Franco- Moroccan friendship, which all political tendencies in
Morocco recognize as the essential - foundation o f M orocco's future"
World Jewish Congress leaders concluded a week of negotiations and discussions with Moroccan
and French leaders at Aix-Les-Bains, across Lake Geneva, and received assurances that if Morocco
becomes autonomous the Jews there would receive full and equal rights. Moroccan leaders pledged
a guarantee of Jewish
rights in conformity with the Universal Declaration of Human - Rights.
Israeli Guests:
Pretty, dark - haired Illana
Spitzer, of Haifa, Israel, currently a patient at the Jewish -
National Home for Asthmatic Children at Denver, was thrilled
when two of the touring Israeli air cadets visited her and
chatted with her in Hebrew. Illana was sent to JNHAC for
treatment of her severe asthmatic condition. The two cadets
were guided by her on a tour of the Denver Home.