Friday, September 21, 1956—THE DETROIT JEWI SH NE

Purely Commentary

BorderUnrestMountsalammarskjold,Burns
Call for Cessation of Israel-Arab Fighting

By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ

UNITED NATIONS, N.Y., SCENE OF NEW TROUBLES • With United Nations chair-
man Col. Finn Moe supporting
(JTA)
— United Nations efforts
'Signposts in - Israel': Seeing is Believing
the Israeli position, the MAC
to stem the mounting tide of
We were a bit startled by this editorial in the Christian violence on Israel's borders
rejected Jordan charges that Is-
Science Monitor, under the heading "Signposts in Israel":
raeli troops had crossed the bor-
shifted to UN headquarters, as
"An announcement by the Republic of Israel that it is
Secretary General Dag Ham-
der and instigated an exchange
setting up 300 historical markers Biblical and other historic sites
marskjold moved to warn all
of fire in which six Israelis were
in its part of Palestine will be received with varied reactions
parties to the cease-fire agree-
killed.
by different groups of travelers. On the whole it is probably a ments in the wake of a new
Col. Moe cited a report by UN
development to be welcomed and applauded but it will need
rash of violence which claimed
observers which offered evi-
the lives of at least 34 Arabs
to be done with taste and skill.
dence—bloodstains and bits of
and Israelis in a week.
"To Bible students who have found zestful challenge in
human brain — that Israeli
The
cease-fire
agreements
seeking out places related to the treasured stories of the Old
charges were true that Jordan
which Secretary General Dag
troops had opened fire on a
or New Testament, even with the aid of the always-available
Hammarskjold obtained from
Arab guides, there will be something of a loss of local color in
party of 30 Israelis who were
Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebannon
having these pointed out to the uninitiated so that he who
engaged in map reading exer-
and Israel last April are still
cises inside Israel territory.
drives may read.
valid
and
anyone
in
the
Middle
"For the less leisurely traveler, the signs will certainly be East implying that the agree-
The bodies of the six killed
a convenience; and those pictured seem to be attractively done.
Israelis were dragged across the
ments have been nullified is
To achieve indisputable accuracy will not be easy in some cases. . "incorrect as well as irresponsi-
border into Jordan to make it
And to have religious sites exploited would be undesirable.
appear that Israelis had invaded
ble," the UN chief declared.
Arab territory.
"We hope that not only the program itself but also the
Mr. Hammarskjold's state-
The MAC resolution called on
manner of its execution will commend itself to visitors to the
ment was motivated by dears
new state of Israel."
that the cease-fire had broken East," and added: "Israel may Jordan to end forthwith all ag-
gressive action against Israel,
Why such skepticism? In Israel there are some very dis- down completely as a result of feel herself to be the originally
tinguished Biblical authorities, and the Israelis have not hesitated several serious clashes which injured party, but she is a coun- insisting that such action was
to call in Christian scholars to interpret archaeological findings. reportedly brought about the try in full control of all her "imperative." It also expressed
We have confidence that there is enough scholarship in Israel to death of 19 Jordanians, nine citizens. She is strong enough the commission's regret that
Israelis and five. Egyptians.
not to have to prove her ability Jordan had not heeded its ear-
justify its present plans.
to inflict punishment. Israel lier calls for ceasing all aggres
Despite the "mounting
The Monitor's editorial speaks of "Arab guides." What about
would win more respect from sion.
series
of
incidents,
followed
the Jewish guides? There are today, in Israel, able Arab as well
the world by forbearance than Egypt Reporti "Armed
es,
the
most
by countermov
as Jewish guides — depending on the areas covered. They are
serious of which took place by revenge. Moreover, the Clash" with Israeli Forces
well trained and deserve the tourists' confidence. If, at times, it
on Sept. 10 and 12," the cease- United Nations deserves better
is difficult "to achieve indisputable accuracy," it is a condition
TEL AVIV, (JTA) — Cairo
of Israel than to be challenged radio said an "armed clash"
fire
agreements are formal
applicable to all countries where antiquity is involved.
obligations undertaken by the in this fashion.")
took place between Egyptian
The Christian Science Monitor has been represented by able
governments concerned and
and Israeli forces Sunday at
correspondents in Israel, but the writer of the above editorial
MAC
Condemns
Jordan
continue in effect, unless for-
Sabha, an Egyptian outpost in
apparently has not been to the Holy Land. He should go there
the Sinai desert. The spokes-
and, since "seeing is believing," he will find evidence there of a mally repealed by one of the for Attack on Israel
governments, Mr. Hammarsk-
man did not report casualties.
(Direct JTA Teletype Wire
the
skepticism
he
has
expressed
editorially.
in
of
justification
lack
to The Jewish News)
jold said.
Brig. Gen. Moshe Dayan,
"To have religious sites exploited would be undesirable," we
The week's toll of lives had
JERUSALEM — The Israel- Chief of Staff of the Israeli
read in the above quotation. Those who have visited Israel can been taken in a series of inci-
attest to the fact that the Israel government makes strenuous dents climaxed when three Jordan Mixed Armistice Com- Army, declared there is only
mission has condemned Jordan one way to defend the lives of
efforts to avoid exploitation of Holy Places.
Israeli Druze tribesmen were for an unprovoked attack on Is- Israelis who drill for oil or
for
We repeat our admonition: go to Israel, friend, and see
murdered by Arabs during -a raeli troops, which inspired a water along the frontiers, "and
night attack on a work camp sharp cross-border retaliatory that is by setting a high price
yourself: "seeing is believing."
in the Dead Sea region.
raid by Israeli forces last week. for their lives."
The camp was deserted ex-
Israel Plans for the Future
for the three watchmen.
Never forget it: not only the rise of Israel but her develop- cept
As the authorities put togeth-
our
time,
border-
occurrences
of
most
unusual
ment represent the
Boris Smolar's
er the picture of the attack,
ing on the miraculous.
crossed the
gang
Jordanian
a
Now, faced with new issues, hemmed in by enemies,
border and • stealthily ap-
prevented by her most antagonistic and strongest neighbor,
proached the camp. The three
Egypt, from enjoying the freedom of the seas, Israel is planning
dead men were killed by
another great move in the direction of progress: by means of
knife wounds. The attackers
it railway through the Negev.
apparently set up a machine
One of the most reliable newspapers in the world, the
gun emplacement to cover the
(Copyright 1956,
lkslanchester Guardian Weekly, this week called attention,
that
Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)
editorially, to the Negev railway plan. This is how the Man- , marauders in the event
at
the
there was resistance
chester Guardian paid tribute to Israel's sense of confidence:
work camp. The attack occur- Election Moods:
It is known that the Government of Israel is seriously and
red near Ein Husub, south of
The Presidential election campaign is beginning to be felt
favorably considering the tender of an enterprising French
the southern edge of the Dead among Jewish voters. The Republican and the Democratic Par,
firm to build a railway from Beersheba to Elath, on the Gulf
Sea, about three miles from ties may have Vice President Nixon. and Senator Kefauver, re-
of Aqaba. This is a project with far-reaching implications for
the Jordan line.
spectively, address the annual convention of the Zionist Organi-
Israel. Since the denial of the Suez Canal to Israeli ships, Dead
Earlier, 17 Jordanians were
Sea potash exported to the enormous and growing market known to be dead and more zation of America early next month. The ZOA leadership, while -
disappointed over the fact that the Republican platforms did not
for fertilizer in Asia has had to make its expensive way through
buried in the debris of a Jor- pledge arms to Israel—as did the Democratic platform—intends to
Haifa and round the Cape. A railway connecting the Dead
dan police post blasted in an remain neutral in the election campaign. ZOA has both Repub-
Sea with Elath, however, would eliminate the great detour and
Israeli attack, a United Nations lican and Democratic members in its ranks. Opinion among ZOA
make the Dead Sea the nearest source of potash for the Far East.
communique on the incident leaders is that the organization can freely criticize the Adininis-
Again, a vocal group in Israel has always believed that a
said. The police station, the tration when dissatisfied with its Middle East policy, but should
is
the
precondition
of
developing
the
Negev
both
for
railway
communique said, was one not invovlve itself in the battle between the Republican and
encouraging direct settlement along the line and for the kilometre inside Jordan.
Democratic Parties. This also seems to be the opinion of the
ultimate exploitation of the Negev's . minerals. The French
Twelve of the known dead American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs. The leaders of
company is prepared to find the capital for the railway and
were killed at the police post
the port installations, allowing Israel *a period of years to and the other five died when the American Zionist Committee are, naturally, more satisfied
with the Democratic plank which promises arms to Israel. How-
the
loan
at
"a
not
unreasonable
rate
of
interest."
The
repay
the Israelis ambushed Jor-
news that Jordan is preparing to rebuild the war - damaged danian reinforcements the UN ever, they feel that although the Republican plank does not con-
tain such a promise, it does contain a vigorous pledge to support
- potash works on her own" shore of the Dead Sea may hasten
communique said. The Israelis
a consideration of the scheme. A favorable decision -would be blew up a school nearly a mile Israel's independence against armed aggression. Both planks are
considered important by American Zionist leadership inasmuch
• a gesture of that typical Israeli confidence in Israel's future,
northwest of the police post, as they show that millions of Americans are interested in the
both financial and military. The railway would for tvvo-thirds
casualties,
but
there
were
no
survival of Israel.
-
of its 310 kilometres be within five kilometres of the Jordan
the UN added. Efforts are being
Leaders of the anti-Zionist American Council for Judaism
border. In almost empty country, the defense of the line
and
the
bodies
made to recover
will be surprised to learn that their appearance before the Plat-
against sabotage would appear an alarming responsibility, but UN
observers are continuing
Israel seems prepared to accept it. Again, the whole scheme their investigation, the' com- form Committees of the Democratic and Republican Conventions
actually helped the Zionist cause. The arguments which Alfred
• proposes intensive use of the port of Elath, in defiance of the munique stated.
Lilienthal and Clarence Coleman, Council for JudaiSm leaders,
present Egyptian threat to fire on Israeli ships entering
"The attack on the police post
advanced in their testimony, contained no positive recommenda-
the Gulf of Aqaba.
and the school and the related
A point that must be emphasized is that it is not so much ambush shortly after midnight tion. Mr. Coleman was pressed for a recommendation by the
an act of defiance of Egyptian threats as one of self-defense appear as an act of retaliation Democratic Platform Committee and was asked why he had ap-
and of economic security. As has been indicated, Israel's ships such as has been repeatedly peared. He replied that his purpose was merely to warn the Plat-
have to take long routes to reach their destination. Israel is condemned by the Security form Committee not to adopt a Middle East plank advocated by
paying a high price for Egyptian defiance of United Nations Council," the communique said. people invested with "double loyalty" and not motivated by the
'decisions. The plan for a Negev railway is an act of self- Maj. Gen. E. L.M. Burns, UN best interests of America. This infuriated members of the Plat-
defense. It is an effort in which Israel should and must be truce chief, appealed to both form Committee. They angrily reprimanded Coleman for taking
given the support and encouragement of all freedom-loving sides to end this tragic series of the Committee's time to question the judgment of its members and
to imply that they would do anything opposed to the interests of
people.
events and observe the cease-
•
•
•
the United States.
fire.
*
*
Tension
had
spread
north-
The Tragic Terezin Story
Communal
Sentiments:
In connection with the call that was issued recently to the ward along the Israeli-Jordan
Dr. Joseph Schwartz, executive head of the Israel Bond Or- 401
Jews of Czechosolvakia, by the Council of Jewish Communities border. Near the deserted vil-
in Bohemia and Moravia, to pay tribute to the memory of victims lage of Aramshe, which is cut ganization, has proven himself as capable in conducting the Israel
of Nazi persecutions at Terezin, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in half by the demarcation line, Bond campaign as when he handled the United Jewish Appeal
a camp of some 50 Arabs at- drive. When the Israel Bond mobilization conference opens this
called attention to the following facts:
tempted to ambush an Israeli week-end in Washington, Dr. Schwartz will have quite a record
During the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia close to
border patrol moving along in- of achievement to report. It is no easy matter to stimulate new
140,000 Jews were deported to Terezin, of whom more than half
side the Israel border. One po- interest in Israel bonds in this country when practically every-
were taken from their homes in Bohemia and Moravia. 43,000
liceman was wounded before body who wishes to help Israel has been acquiring bonds year
were deported to Terezin from Germany, over 15,000 from
Austria, nearly 5,000 from Holland, 1,500 from Slovakia and the patrol escaped. The patrol after year. Nevertheless, Dr. Schwartz can rightfully claim that
avoided further casualties by under his administration the sale of Israel bonds this year was
about 500 from Denmark. More than 33,000 Jews died in
Terezin and of 8'7,000 others who were deported from Terezin making good use of the hilly extremely successful. Because of his personality, Dr. Schwartz
succeeded in attracting new and important forces to the bond
terrain to cover its retreat.
to the East, only 3,000 are known to have survived.
(An editorial in the New campaign, cementing American Jewish unity around it. He also
This is part of the tragic story of the Nazi terror. Let it be
remembered, as a warning to future generations to be on guard— York Times called this "the succeeded in securing substantial buyers of Israel bonds among
in American Jewry who had never -before-purchased
in defense of their liberties—so that similar h*rrors should never worst possible moment to ex- elements
acerbate feelings in the Middle such bonds.
again be repeated-

'Between You
and Me'

...

