THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS -- Friday, August 7, 1959- 32
Iron Curtain Blocks Contact with Soviet Jewry
(Continued from Page 1)
not in a position to report
any progress in the attempts
to establish such contact," the
document said.
It revealed that: a sustained
effort was made to secure the
interest of the Soviet authori-
ties to permit a number of Jew-
ish congregations in the Soviet
Union .to send observers to the
Stockholm conference.
"We were assured repeatedly
and emphatically by Soviet rep-
resentatives that the congrega-
tions and individuals we had in
mind were free to accept our
invitation if they wished, and
that the Soviet government as a
matter of policy did not inter-
vene in such matters," the re-
port stated, adding that after
many months of silence, the
Soviet Jewish congregations de-
clined the WJC invitation on
the eve of the Assembly's open-
ing here.
Active Jewish support in fa-
vor of a summit conference
which would resolve world prob-
lems was urged by Hersh Smo-
liar, chairman of the five-man
team of observers which the
Communist-controlled Union of
Jewish Cultural Organizations
in Poland sent to the Assembly.
At the same time, he also at-
tacked Israel for its "link-up
with the Western world."
The leader of the observer
group from Poland said that a
summit conference would relax
world tension and possibly bring
about a settlement between Is-
rael and its neighboring Arab
countries. He strongly criticized
Israel's arms deal with West-
ern Germany.
"What is Israel, what is the
World Jewish Congress, doing
to help put an end to world
tensions which have become a
special tragedy for the Jewish
people?" he asked.
"Some members of our
small Jewish community," he
continued, "have left our
country for what they thought
to be a better life. Many have
gone to Israel. NoW they
bitterly regret it." By con-
trast, he pointed out that
"despite their small numbers
and lack of material facilities,
the Jews in Poland strive with
all their hearts and souls for
the fulfillment of Judaism
within the framework of the
political and social structure
of their country."
Many world leaders, including
West German President Theo-
dor Heuss, Indian Prime Min-
ister Jawaharlal Nehru, and an
Undersecretary of the United
Nations representing Secretary
Dag HammarskjOld greeted the
Assembly, either by cable or in
person.
UN Undersecretary Philippe
de Seynes, bringing greetings
from Hammarskjold, praised the
Congress, which has full non-
governmental status at the UN,
for "interpreting its relations
with the United Nations in the
true spirit of the UN character."
Nehru pointed out in his mes-
sage that it was "not unusual"
for him to send greetings to
congresses held outside his own
country. "Nevertheless, "he de-
clared, "I must send my best
wishes to this all-Jewish As-
sembly."
Dr. Heuss, recalling "the
tragic fate of. European Jewry
under Nazi domination," asked
Dr. Nahum Goldmann, president
of the World Jewish Congress,
"not to let this unhappy
shadow cast gloom among the
two nations." He expressed the
hope that there will be a con-
tinuance of "the will to love
which characterizes" the present
relations between Jews and
West Germany.
Just before the opening of
the session, a number of Is-
raeli delegates, as well as
some from Latin America,
notified Dr. Goldmann that
plained in a letter on the way. relationship between these two
It is assumed by WJC leaders parts will have to become one
that the reversal took place un- of mutual give and take, of
der pressure from Moscow. mutual influence, of making
Invitations to the Assembly Jewish communities and indi-
sent by the WJC to about a viduals in the countries outside
dozen of the largest Jewish of Israel a part in the achieve-
communities in the Soviet ment and the creativeness of
Union have brought replies Israel, and of making the life
from congregations there that of Israel and its civilization a
they would not attend the world part of Jewish communal con-
Jewish parley because they con- cern the world over," Dr. Gold-
sider themselves "purely religi- mann stated.
ous bodies" and it would, there- . "The time has come," he said,
fore, not be appropriate for "when we will have to create
them to be represented at an the one overall organizations'
assembly with political aims. which will organize the Jews
The replies were received outside of Israel for cooperation
from the Jewish religious con- with Israel, and Israel for its
gregations in Moscow, Lenin- tie-up with the Jewish communi7
grad, Kiev, Odessa, Minsk, Vilna ties in other lands. Also, to fur-
and Tiflis: Congregations in ther the framework for the to-
other cities did not answer the tality of our people."
invitations at all.
Premier Erlander, in his
Dr. Goldmann, in his ad-
welcoming address to the del-
dress, said that Jews today
egates, told the Assembly:
face three main problems: 1.
"The World Jewish*Congress,
The danger that assimilation
in its own sphere, can make a
and disintegration may follow
valuable contribution to the
the generally successful fight
future welfare of the world.
for equal rights for Jews as
It can help create a world
citizens; 2. The fight for the
where all people, irrespective
right of Jews to remain Jews
of race, religion or political
in a period when it is increas-
belief, will have the possi-
ingly difficult to remain non-
bility of human existence."
conformist; 3. e will of the
The Swedish statesman re-
Jews to remain Jews, as the minded - the delegates to the
comin; generation has now to Assembly of "the close links"
find "new motives and sources which have tied his nation to
of strength to maintain its the Jewish people. Stockholm's
Jewishness." Mayor Carl Albert, addressing,
To meet these tasks. Dr. Gold- the opening meeting and wel-
mann urged drastic changes in coming • the Assembly officially
the present communal struc- on behalf of the city, struck the
ture." All efforts and funds same theme, referring with sat-
which were devoted to fighting isfaction to "the countless Jew-
anti-Semitism, as well as of or- ish refugees who found haven
ganized Jewish relief and phil- here during the dark days of
anthropy, will have to be Nazi Germany."
switched to the great problem
Opposition to the fact that
of Jewish education and • crea-
the Ambassador of West Ger-
tiveness, and in the participa- many was invited to the open-
tion of the upbuilding of Is- ing sesssion of the Assembly
rael," he said.
Another task facing Jewry, was expressed by some of the
Dr. Goldmann declared, is "to Israeli delegates. The oppo-
insist on the basic rights of nents, consisting of members
every human being to choose of o the Mapam, Achdut Avodah
the country where to live, or at and Religious Bloc asked for a
least the right to leave a coun- caucus of the Israeli delega
try in which he does not want tion.
The opponents also de-
to remain." He deplored the
fact that, in Eastern Europe and manded that the West German
North Africa, these rights are flag, among all the flags flying
either challenged or denied de in front of the Parliament
facto. building, be lowered to half-
The WJC president concluded mast in memory of the Jewish
his address by reviewing the victims of Nazism. However, the
problems of Israel and its re- moves in the Israeli caucus
lations with the Jewish coin- were defeated.
munities outside Israel. "The
It was decided that on Mon-
day morning, the flags of all
nations in front of the Parlia-
New Era of Positive Judaism
ment Building would be low-
ered. It is understood
that, during the political de-
bates before the Assembly,'
• Continued from Page 1 • tion during the last war. It was some Israelis, including repre-
are here also gives this Plen- 'to Sweden that the free Danish sentatives of Mapam and Ach-
ary tremendous significance. and Norweigian communities dut Avodah, will raise the
This correspondent has just were sent in the dark of an question of Israel's sale of arms
'earned from Karl Baum, of historic night, on small fishing to West Germany.
Outside of the Iron Curtain
London, the able journalist boats, for rescue and survival.
who is in charge of the Plen- More than 7,000 lives thus were countries, the Turkish Jewish
community was the only size-
ary publicity department, that rescued.
an Egyptian newsman, the
In the Parliament of the able community not represent-
correspondent of the Cairo Al
Swedish people who had pro- ed. Government authorization
Ahrain, had applied for ac-
vided haven for the Scandi- would have been necessary be-
creditation as a correspondent
navian Jews, the free Jewish fore a delegation could leave
at the conference and his re•
communities of the world now Istanbul. Request for such au-
quest -was promptly granted.
are planning a dignified pro- thorization was not made in
There is something very idyl- gram of Jewish living. On view of the official opposition
lic about the setting for the the agenda also are items to affiliation of the Turkish
Plenary. The opening meeting that call for defense of Jew- Jewish community with the WJ
Congress.
was held in the City Hall, where ish rights. But the major
The Israeli delegation to-
the City Council also gave an terest is the strengthening of
taled 34 representatives, fol-
official reception to the dele- the cultural aspects of Jewish
lowing the addition of nine
life, the elevation of the high-
gates and their guests.
Sephardim to the delegation.
The entire Congress Plenary est spiritual values of Jewry.
The most distinguished lead- This was the result of sharp
is taking place in the Swedish
Parliament Building. The im- ers in world Jewry are here. The protests by Sephardic leaders
pressive building has been recognized spokesmen for Am in Israel who pointed out that,
turned over to the world Jew- Yisrael are assembled in ses- although integration of Is-
ish movement—not only for the sions aimed at establishing the rael's population was to be a
major sessions but for all com- firmest foundations for the liv- subject for consideration by
mittee meetings, .for organiza- ing Jewish people. From the the Assembly, there were no
tional offices, for the publicity Swedish Parliament House, out Sephardim in the Israel dele-
of the sessions of the World gation.
and other departments.
The Israeli executive of the
It was in Sweden that the Jewish Congress, the word goes
Jews of Denmark and Norway forth: am Yisrael hai — Israel WJC added two Sephardim to
found haven when the Nazis lives; and to those who still the delegation; the Sephardi
suddenly decided to send these harbor enmity the signal clearly Federation decided to send
two Jewries to concentration is: don't try the impossible: three representatives on its
camps for planned extermina- Israel is indestructible. own; the Mapai Party added
they would not attend the
session in protest against the
attendance of the German
Ambassador. They also ob-
jected to the fact that the
German flag, among the flags
of other nations, flew in front
of the building where the ses-
sion was held.
A call to the Jewish people
to make their contribution to-
wards achievement of co-exis-
tence and peaceful competition
between East and West was
voiced by Dr. Goldmann. at the
opening session of the ten-day
assembly.
The session was formally
opened by Swedish Premier
Tage Erlander in the City Hall
here. It will continue in the
Swedish Parliament building,
which has been put at the dis-
posal of the Congress by the
Swedish authorities. Present at
the opening session were mem-
bers of the Swedish Cabinet
as well as members of the diplo-
matic corps.
Surveying the position of
world Jewry. Dr. Goldmann said
in his presidential address that
"nothing would be more tragic
than if the Jewish people were
as a whole forced into an anti-
Soviet poc- ition."
However, he added: "We do
not want to become participants
in the cold war, but the Soviet
government cannot expect us to
keep silent and to refrain from
reiterating our demands."
Dr. Goldmann deplored the
split between East and West.
He pointed out that, as a re-
sult of this split, about 9,000,-
000 Jews in the Western
world are cut off from their
brethen behind the Iron Cur-
tain." He also deplored the
absence of delegations at the
Assembly from the Soviet
Union, Hungary and other
countries behind the Iron
Curtain.
The only delegation from
East European countries par-
ticipating in the Assembly is
one from Yugoslavia. The five-
man delegation representing Po-
lish Jewry is participating as
observers only.
The Jewish community in
Hungary had earlier notified the
WJC that it would send a dele-
gation to the Assembly. But,
a telephone call from Budapest
to Dr. Goldmann notified him
not to expect such a delegation,
adding that the reasons are ex-
To Emerge from Stockholm
two more to its own delega-
tion; and the General Zionist
and Herut Parties each added
one.
Future sessions of the Con-
gress are expected to delve con-
siderably into the matter of the .
disintegration of the Egyptian
Jewish community, which fol-
lowed in the wake of the Sinai
campaign of 1956 and the in-
crease "in international com-
merce of anti-Semitic litera7
ture which has developed in
the last few years."
Dr. Goldmann Warns
of 'Stagnation' Peril
STOCKHOLM, (JTA) — The.
Zionist movement was warned
by Dr. Nahum Goldmann, pres-
ident of the World Zionist Or-
ganization, against the "danger
of stagnation" and against be-
coming just one of many Jew-
ish organizations.
Addresssing the congress of
the World Confederation. of
General Zionists, which is tak-
ing place here parallel with
the Assembly of the World.
Jewish Congress, Dr. Goldmann
said that "the Zionist move-
ment can receive great masses
outside of it, if we can find-
suitable forms to receive them."
This, he added, would strength-
en the mo‘..•ement for the his-
toric task of consolidating Is-
rael.
Mrs. Pose Halnrin, co-preSi-
(tent of the Confederation,
agreed with Dr. Goldmann that
it is essential to attract new
groups to the zionist movement.
Dr. Israel Goldstein, the other
co-president, lauded Dr. Gold-
mann's contributions to the
movement and said that the
World Zionist Organization and
the World each Congress' sup-
plement ea•ch other.
Israel Drops Action
Against Bulgaria for
Downing Plane in '56
JERUSALEM, (JTA) — The
Foreign Ministry decided to
take no further court action
against Bulgaria for shooting
down an El Al passenger plane
killing 58 passengers in 1956.
The decision was made in ac-
cordance with the recommenda-
tion of Shabtai Rosenne, the
Foreign MiniStry's legal advisor,
who headed Israel's team of at-
torneys which lost its case
against Bulgaria recently before
the International Court of Jus-
tice at The Hague. The World
Court agreed with Bulgaria's
claim that the court lacked
jurisdiction in this case.
Any further action by claim-
ants as a result of the El Al
plane crash will have to be
taken up through diplomatic
channels, the Foreign Ministry
decided. The Ministry is op-
posed to having any claimant
press a case in the Bulgarian
courts, declaring that Israel
could not accept the decision
of a Bulgarian court.
Furthermore, the Ministry
held, Bulgaria's insistence that
Israel must share the blame for
thet 1956 crash is invalid. Bul-
garia has claimed that Israel
was responsible for alleged
"negligence."
Two Israel Banks Listed
Among World's 500 LargeSt
NEW YORK, (JTA) — Two
Israel banks were listed by the
American Banker, daily bank-
ing newspaper, among the 500
largest commercial banks in the
free world.
The two banks were the Bank
of Israel in Jerusalem, with
deposits equivalent to $179,510,
607, the 332nd largest bank,
and the Bank Leumile-Israel in
Tel Aviv, with deposits equiva-
lent to $147.116,547, the 372nd
largest bank.