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Purely Commentary

1:0 The Election and the Prophets of Doom
cr.)
Election Day is only a little more than a week off, and
W we already are beginning to hear the voices of prophets of doom.
)-5 Some have begun to inject the Israeli issue into campaign
it( discussions. Drew Pearson constantly draws upon aid-to-Israel,
CD the Javits-Wagner contest, the purported threats-to-Israel by
the democratic powers, in his election discussions. He went so
;14 far recently as to say that aid to the Arabs, which is interpreted
A as antagonism to. Israel, is being postponed by our Government
W and Britain until after the election.
Most of these warnings are the bunk. Whatever party
E-1 triumphs will be the party that will govern us for four years;
and both parties are committed to protect Israel's existence.
There is much to be said in criticism of Secretary of State
kft
t= Dulles. There is no defense of Vice President Nixon's tactics when
1-4 he defeated Helen Gahagan Douglas for the U.S. Senatorship.
In principle, whoever injects a Jewish or any other partisan
issue in the campaign renders a disservice to our democratic
way of life. Our votes must be on the basis of preferred
42 principles and candidates, and all of us vote as Americans.
But Americans have a sense of fair play, and if there are evi-
dences of injustice the will unavoidably affect actions at the polls.
The present Administration has much to defend in its atti-
ct
3 tude on Israel. It claims to be helping Israel through its encour-
rxi agement to France and Canada to sell jet planes to Israel. Such
an hypocritical attitude of favoring arms sales by others while
our Government refuses to abide by its own advocacy of such
a policy merely invites indictment of inconsistency.
President Eisenhower and Secretary of State Dulles would
do well to read the devastating condemnation of their Middle
East policies incorporated in Dr. Max Lerner's column in the
New York Post. Lerner's arguments are irrefutable. Jacob Javits
is finding it difficult to face them in his New York campaign
for the Senatorship.
There are, of course, counter-arguments: Southern Demo-
crats have played unsavory roles in issues involving immigration,
Israel and civil rights.
Therefore, for many voters the candidates and their prin-
ciples, judged by party standards, represent a toss-up when mak-
ing a final choice.

*

A

Remarkable Middle East Picture Story

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ficial Polish anti-Semitism has vealed here by the JTA's source well as on others."
The source pointed to one of
been set back and perhaps as one of the backers of Zenon
six resolutions adopted by the
squelched as a result of the Nowak's anti-Semitic policy.
Nikita S. Khruschev, First Polish party's nets - central com-
Polish-Soviet, crisis, according
to an authoritative source here Secretary of the Soviet Corn- mittee opposing the "regula-
thoroughly familiar with Poland munist Party, had placed anti- tion" of the number of Jews
and known for his friendliness Semitism on the agenda during in the party and government
his stormy meeting with Polish positions that the plan for
to Jews.
Two of the old Politburo Communist leaders last week. "regulating" the number of
members ousted this week in The source declared: "We have Jews is a policy advocated
the reshuffle of the governing all read that Khrushchev told openly by Zenon Nowak and
body of the Polish. United Polish leaders that they wanted backed powerfully by Gen.
Workers (Communist) Party are to sell the country to the Amer- Witaszewski. Both spoke up for
well known for their anti-Sem- scans and Zionists. Khrushchev such a policy last summer at a
itism ,the source pointed out. himself is well-known for his meeting of the old central com-
These men are marshal Kon- anti-Semitism. Now he wanted mittee of the Polish Communist
stantin K. Rokosovsky, Defense to fan the flames of anti-Semi- Party when the Poznan riots
Minister and commander in tism in Poland. Instead, he has were analyzed by party leaders.
chief of the Polish army, and
Zenon Nowak, a Deputy Pre-
mier. A third high official for
whose dismissal demands are
being made now is Lt. Gen.
Kazimierz Witaszewski, the
HOUSTON, Texas (JTA) —
The resolution, introduced by
army's political chief who was
An appeal to the United States Mrs. Rose Halprin, Hadassah's
Government to include Israel Zionist affairs chairman and
World Personalities
"among the nations within the only woman member of the
mutual security system so that Jewish Agency executive, said
to Speak at UJA's
she may be granted military such a step would give "prac-
aid and be linked in America's tical expression to the Middle
Conference, Nov. 30
collective security arrangement," East plans adopted by both the
was voiced here at the conclud- Democratic and Republican na-
ing session of the four-day 42nd tional conventions, which indi-
annual convention of Hadassah, cate. a bi-partisan awareness of
the Women's Zionist Organiza- Israel's danger, and would serve
tion of America.
as an American commitment to
The plea was included in a prevent a renewal of hostilities
resolution adopted by the 2,500 against Israel."
delegates urging the U.S. to
The resolution stated-also that
"strengthen Israel as an outpost "Hadassah views with appre-
of democracy and a bulwark hension the threatened intrusion
against - Communism."
forces into Jordan."
The convention adopted a of Iraqui
Michael Camay, Israel's Am-
$9,000,000
budget
for
the
1956-
Outstanding personali-
bassador to Canada, told the
ties who will address the 57 fiscal year to maintain Ha-
final banquet session that: his
dassah's
health
and
medical
net-
UJA's two-day annual na-
nation's army was "a formid-
tional conference opening work in Israel, the Youth Ali-
able fighting farce." He empha-
Nov. 30, at New York's Wal- yah and American activities.
The major expenditures fore- sized that no "Arab army or
dorf-Astoria Hotel includes
any combination of Arab armies
HERBERT MORRISON, (left) cast in the budget are:
can put Israel out of business."
Hadassah
for
the
$3,150,000
Deputy Prime Minister of
At an earlier session, Cecil
Great Britain from 1945 to Medical Organization; $2,100,000
1951 and Deputy Leader of for Youth Aliyah; $1,000,000 for Hyman, Israel's consul general
the Labor Opposition in the the Jewish National Fund, and in New . York, praised Hadas-
House of Commons until last $600,000 for vocational training sah's vocational education pro-
gram, asserting that this effort
year; Gen. YIGAEL YADIN, programs in Israel.
Dr. Miriam Freund of Ossin- was providing Israel's new-
former Commanding General
comers with necessary skills "to
of Israel's Defense Forces and ing, New York, was elected Ha-
build a modern progressive
dassah's
tenth
president,
suc-
Israel's leading scholar on the
Dead Sea Scrolls; Avraham ceeding Mrs. Herman Shulman. .state."
Harman, member of the Jew-
ish Agency Executive in Je-
rusalem; William Rosenwald,
Boris Smolar's
UJA general chairman; Ed-
ward M. M. Warburg, presi-
dent of UJA, and Rabbi Her-
bert A. Friedman, UJA exec-
utive vice - chairman. The
conference will hear from
UJA's Overseas Study Mis-
(Copyright 1956,
sion, just returned from Eu-
Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc)
rope and endangered Israel.

.

Hadassah Asks Security Guarantee
for Israel; Adopts $9,000,000 Budget

The jacket of "The Picture Story of the Middle East," pub-
lished by David McKay Co. (55 5th, NY 3), informs us that the
author of this charming and informative book, Susan R. Nevil,
"calls the Middle East home although she has lived and traveled
in many lands . Married, and the mother of a small son and
daughter, Susan Nevil has been living for the past few years in
the United States."
Interest is aroused in the author of this book because of her
courage as well as knowledge. Very few writers in our time
have dared to present the facts so bluntly, so frankly, without
inhibitions that have been created by oil interests and power
politics.
Mrs. Nevil displays a remarkable knowledge about the entire
Middle East—about the three non-Arab nations, Iran, Turkey and
Israel; and the seven Arab nations, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria,
Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. She begins with the rise of
the three religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and proceeds
to relate the basic facts about the faiths and the nations adhering
to them.
This is a story for children, but adults will find it equally
as powerful for them, as a guide book to the Middle East. It
is both history and travelogue—and it is spiced by commen-
taries which should enlighten many of our present-day be-
wildered diplomats.
All of her stories are dispassionate, factual, describing the
ways of life of the various nations, their capitals, their occu-
pations.
Israel is reviewed as "the, old-new land": "almost everything
in Israel is like that—either very old or very new."
It is a sympathetic picture, of people rebuilding a nation,
of life in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and the cooperative settlements.
Washington Impressions:
Mrs. Nevil, calling Israel "the world's youngest democracy," Hammerskjold Favors
When you visit the State Department and hear Secretary
quotes from her Declaration of Independence "that the govern-
of
State
John Foster Dulles' views, you get a definite impression
Direct
UN
Talks
in
ment of Israel 'will be based on the precepts 'of liberty, justice,
of what is on his mind with regard to Israel . . . There is no
and peace taught by the Hebrew prophets'," and adds: "The Arab-Israel Dispute
doubt that he wants free passage for Israel ships through the
same principles of the Bible also guided the Founding Fathers
UNIT.ED NATIONS, N. Y. Suez Canal; how strong he will go after it remains to be seen
of the United States, who borrowed from the Hebrew the in-
(JTA) — The United Nations
get jet planes to balance the arms
scription on the Liberty Bell: Proclaim liberty throughout the should continue the type of "di- .. • He is anxious that Israel
secured by Egypt from Communist countries and was helpful
land unto all the inhabitants thereof."
rect diplomatic approach" to the in influencing Canada and France to sell such jets to Israel ...
She describes the manner in which all the Jewish holidays
governments embroiled in the However, he prefers not to commit himself on sending American
are observed and offers definitions for all the holidays. She tells
Israel-Arab conflicts, Secretary arms • to Israel, although some types a military equipment is
the
scientific
methods
and
equipment
used
by
the
Israelis.
about
General Dag Hammarskjold ad- being sold by the U. S. to Israel ... He watches carefully the
Mrs. Nevil reviews Israel's struggle for freedom and the
vised the General Assembly.
tension on the Arab-Israel frontiers, and speaks of invoking the
war with the Arabs, refers to the armistice agreements and adds,
Mr. Hamrnarskjold made his British-American-French Declaration guaranteeing the present
"but the Arab leaders still refuse to make peace with Israel;"
of in-
points to Israel's striving for "shalom"—"peace"—and concludes: statement as part of his intro- Arab-Israel borders . . However, he has no intention
defense pacts which
"Israelis hope the day is not far off when they will be able to duction to his annual report to volving the United States in any of the
greet their neighbors of the Arab countries with 'Shalom.' That the General Assembly for the Britain maintains with some of the Arab countries . .. He is
behind Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold's efforts to reduce
day will be a great blessing not only for these peoples, but for year ending June 15, 1956.
Mr. Hammarskjold was seen Arab-Israel tension and is outspoken against any aggression
all of the Middle East as well."
Paying tribute to the Israelis' initiative, Mrs. Nevils asserts: here as implying that he feels whether on the Israel or the Arab side . . . He admits that in
himself bound to continue his the present §tate of affairs between Israel and the Arab coun-
"The young State has overcome some of the gravest prob-
tries, it is difficult to define when a case should be considered
lems-that weigh down the nations around it. There are neither "good offices" as instructed by "aggression" and when not . He does not like Egyptian
great landowners nor poverty-stricken peasants in Israel. There a Council resolution adopted
after his so called "peace mis- dictator Col. Nasser, although he does not say it in so many
is little disease. Almost all the people can read and write. The
government is run 'by the people, for the people,' for Israel is sion" last June. Usually the words . His stand toward Israel is milder than it was even
introduction to the Secretary a year ago, not to speak of earlier years.
a democracy."
•
In her "Afterward," Mrs. Nevil shows how the Middle East General's annual report to the
"now stands at the crossroads of a new life . . . They can learn Assembly includes a sizable State Department Moods:
about the benefits of education and scientific and technical skills, chapter devoted to the Middle
One of the American Jewish leaders for whom the doors
so that their people can lead a better life. Instead of keeping East. This time there is only
alive conflicts of the past, they can work together peacefully for one paragraph in the report of the State Department are wide open is Philip Klutznick,
He is talked about by State
their future common good. Then, once again, there may be a dealing directly with the Israel- national president of Bnai Brith .
Department
officials
with
a
good
deal
of warmth • . . And he
Arab
conflict.
Golden Age in the story of the Middle East."
In a section dealing with does not hesitate to express his opinion frankly to Secretary
What a challenge this is to the Arabs, in their antagonism
human rights Mr. Hammarskjold Dulles on the U. S. stand on Israel ... While encouraging the
toward Israel!
Mrs. Nevil points out in the concluding pages that "except took note of the recent adoption friendly line which Secretary Dulles is now displaying toward
not hide his views on matters in
in Turkey and Israel, most of the people are illiterate and des- by the United Nations of a sup- Israel, Mr. Klutznick does
perately poor, and great numbers of them are sick . . . Experts plementary convention dealing which he does not see eye to eye with Mr. Dulles . . . Inasmuch
estimate that the cultivated land in the Middle East could be with the abolition of slavery and as Mr. Klutznick is the spokesman for the oldest American
hun-
. doubled . . . Israel has shown how poor land can be turned into referred also to the importance Jewish organization, which has a membership of several
green
fields."
of
various
studies
being
carried
dred
thousand,
his
views
are
listened
to
with
utmost
interest
rich
They are taken as an indication of
Would that more observers with vision dared to face the on by the Subcommission on at the State Department . . .
Jewish citizen who
isgile_asfranklv as- Mrs. Nevil has done in "The Picture Story Protection of Minorities and the real sentiment of the average American
is sincerely dedicated to the interests of the United States.

'Between You
... and Me'

