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Purely Commentary
The ganging-Up
on Israel and the
Insults to U.S. Jews
By Philip
Historical Society
Re-Elects Dr. Kano, -
VOMOVitZ
'Diplomatic Double-Talk' in the Syrian Issue
An End to Insults Against American Citizens
Whenever a crisis arises in the Middle East, old canards are
revived and immediately little Israel is looked upon with sus-
picion that her armies will attack her neighbors.
"On the books"—but only on the books—there is a clau se
in the U. S. Mutual Security Act expressing the "sense of Co n-
gress" in opposition to aid to such countries that practice d is-
crimination against American citizens. It has never been enforc ed
The moment the Syrians started quarreling among them-
selves, the old nonsense was resorted to that Israel is an issue
in it, that Israel has an army of 35,000 and is a threat to poor
Syria which has only 25,000 warriors. Not a word is said about
the overwhelming number of Arab states and armies that con-
tinually harass and threaten Israel.
What the geniuses who spread the ridiculous reports and
who fail to examine the true facts in the Middle East case do
not recognize is that only little Israel keeps all the Arab states
together; that if it were not for the threats the Arab potentates
make against one another that if they do not hate Israel enough
they will be assassinated, they would be at each other's throats
and the visible Arab disunity would erupt into warfare; that
this hatred which is the only element of unity among the Arabs
is the most detrimental factor in world affairs because it serves
to strengthen the hands of the masters who are perpetuating a
feudal system that keeps the Arab masses enslaved.
The newest conflict into which Israel has been dragged in
by the constant attacks upon Israeli fishermen on Lake Tiberias
brings to light anew the sad problem which should have been
averted z.nd still is solvable—provided there will be just realism
in the United Nations.
In 1956 Israel found it necessary to go into Egyptian ter-
ritory to prevent the continuing intrusion of the fedayeen—the
bandit Arab group.; that were responsible for thefts and murders
in Israel. During the years since Israel's rebirth, there were
occasions when it was necessary for Israeli commandos to destroy
Arab military installations whence there originated attacks upon
Jewish settlements and Jewish fishermen. Syrian infiltrations
and attacks upon boats manned by Jews on the Sea of Galilee
necessitated the most recent Israeli retaliatory raid and is now
the subject of a United Nations Security Council debate on the
aggravated issue.
Primarily, it should he known that Israeli defensive action
has been, in the main, in Israel territory bordering on Syria.
The entire Sea of Galilee—also known as Lake Tiberias—is in
Israel's territory. Land bordering on this historic lake also is
Israel's. although a portion of the northeastern shore is only
ten yards in depth within Israel. But right above it are the
Syrian hills. Nearby are the Syrian villages whence clandestinely
Syrians enter Israel's territory, go fishing in the Galilee Lake
and are backed up by Syrian troops which have only too often
been shooting at Israel's fishermen. The retaliation is under-
standable. If there is no other way of ending the intrusions,
Israel must wipe out such installations which are the causes of
harassment.
If the UN hal acted to prevent the Syrian intrusions. if the
world organization had adopted, last December. the resolution ,
that was intioduc«1 by 16 nations—including nine African— I
which called for direct peace negotiations between Israel and
her Arab neighbors, it might not have become necessary last
Thursday for the American spokesman at the UN, Adlai Steven-
son. to assert that, whatever the facts in the present case before
the Security Council "they do not, in our view, justify the Israeli
reversion to any policy of retaliatory raids." Stevenson. regret-
tably, continues to echo the viewpoint of anti-Israeli element
in the State Department where submission to Arab threats
certainly has not been helpful in attaining. the aspirations of
President Kennedy and many others in his administration for
an Arab-Israel accord.
How unreal can one he? Stevenson told the UN that "there
has been both provocation and retaliation." That's playing both
ends against the middle. It is a failure to admit that the re-
taliation came long after Israel had tried to have the UN put
an end to the provocations which continued endlessly. It is our
deep conviction that the State Department view is detrimental
to the true policies of the UN, because it permits the continua-
tion of obstruction without a serious effort to bring two con-
tending forces together—the U. S. representative voted against
the peace proposal by the 16 nations that sponsored the defeated
amendment last December—and from this conviction also stems
our disappointment at the least constructive view taken by
Stevenson last week.
The fact remains that there has to be firm action . by the
UN to prevent provocation more than retaliation, because without
the first there will not he the lattei. But the attitude for which
Stevenson has been known since his own visit to the Arab
countries as well as Israel, prior to his active campaign for the
Presidency, offers little hope of relief for Israel. He seems to
he pursuing a position of skepticism that has become biased in
favor of the Arab position. It is unfortunate that one of the
distinguished American leaders should have failed to become
more fully acquainted with the situation to be able to exert an
influence in favor of peace. rather than to act negatively. .
,
PHILADELPHIA—Dr. Abram
Kanof, of Brooklyn, N.Y., was
reelected president of the Amer-
ican Jewish
Historical So-
ciety at the
and the State Department closes its eyes to the shocking practic es society's '70th
of Arab countries which benefit from American econom is anniversary
meeting, April
assistance.
1. Elected to
Congressmen James Roosevelt of California and Seymo ur vice-presiden-
Halpern of New York hope to cut off assistance to countries th at cies were Su-
practice discrimination, and they have introduced a bill to th at preme court
effect in the U. S. House of Representatives.
Justice Edgar
While the charges against Arab countries that bar America n J. Nathan, Jr.,
Jews while accepting American dollars are a matter of reco rd of New York,
and are well known, the comments of Congressman Halpern a re and Philip D.
especially pertinent at this time in view of his personal e x- Sang, of Chi-
periences of having failed to obtain a visa to visit America n- cago.
The society,
financed projects in Saudi Arabia because he is a Jew.
which fosters
Calling the attention of Congressman Thomas E. Morga n, the study of *
chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of the role of the
Representatives, to H. R. 10787 which he introduced jointl y
Jew in the
with Congressman Roosevelt, in an effort to correct the wrong
settlement and
that are being committed, Congressman Halpern wrote:
"In substance, this legislation would 'provide that the
Government of the United States shall furnish no aid to any
foreign nation or citizens thereof in carrying out any activity
under which American citizens will be discriminated against.'
"I am aware of the interest you and your committee have
given this matter of discrimination against American citizens
by certain recipients of United States aid and I commend the
committee's past efforts in this regard. The committee has
written into the language of previous mutual aid bills and
anti-discriminatory clauses and has accepted amendments de-
vised to accomplish the same results.
"Despite the strong language expressed in the declaration
of policy and other sections of the Acts, these practices still
continue and our aid still goes on. Obviously we must spell
out in strong, unequivocal and mandatory language, that the
United States will no longer tolerate discrimination on religious
—or any other—grounds and make it compulsory that violators
of this principle be refused any future aid. Nations must be
required to implement established standards of conduct in
order to qualify for aid from the United States.
"A typical example of this discriminatory policy is my own
bitter personal experience. Despite repeated efforts I have not
been able to obtain a visa to visit- Saudi Arabia, even to visit
American-financed projects there, which we in Congress author-
ized and all the American people paid for. The issue, however,
far transcends my individual experience.
"It is disgusting, is it not, Mr. Chairman, that United States
citizens, businessmen, officials, soldiers and even Congressmen
are barred from Arab nations receiving aid which is paid for
through the taxes on all American citizens, no matter what
their faith. These tactics are intolerable and we should protest
them not only in our most adamant words but in our actions.
"I think the time is long past due that this government
demand that these Arab states cease this insulting practice
against Americans in which they demand "security clearance"
on their religious conviction in order to visit or deal with these
countries.
"To date the State Department has fallen far short of
implementing the expressed 'sense of Congress' to eliminate
Arab discrimination against American citizens. This makes a
mockery of the will of the American people as expressed in the
anti-bias clauses already adopted by their representatives in
Congress.
"In addition, the State Department has also failed to apply
the President's announced principle of linking foreign aid to
social justice and morality.
"How can our government continue providing public funds
to these countries which not only discriminate within their own
territory but are attempting to export, through economic co-
ercion, their discriminatory policies to the United States?
" The answer to this repugnant situation is obvious. The
United States needs—and demands—action which spells out in
no uncertain terms how we feel about these barriers and boy-
cotts. The answer is the mandatory language of the Roosevelt-
Halpern bill.
"The adoption of the provisions of this bill is the only way
to win respect of nations throughout the world and is the only
way to eliminate this disgraceful situation which so basely
negates all fundamental American principles."
Rep. Halpern's statement registers the proper protest so ably
and so clearly that it deserves the widest circulation. If only all
Americans were to read it and to become aware of a grave
injustice that is being practiced against our citizens by a nation
that benefits so much from our dollars and our numerous grants,
and from the oil business it conducts with us!
Regrettably, there is a certain amount of fear among State
epartment officials and members of Congress lest
offend the
A rabs. They do not realize that Saudi Arabia has all we
to lose from
rebuke by the U. S. and from rejection of the discriminations
a
practiced against us. The Arab states have everything to gain
from a normal relationship that would bar prejudices against our
citizens.
But the negative attitude seems-to persist in the UN Security
r !mil. The Soviet attitude complements that of the Arabs and
Stevenson has helped both of them. Unless the French delegate
CO. I:CS
to Tor•ael's lid, and only if Major General Can C. von Horn,
Chief of Staif of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organi-
It is doubtful whether the Roosevelt-Halpern bill has even a
z:q on. will exert his influence in support of an accord between ghost of a chance of being adopted, in view of the opposition to
Israel and the Arabs in order to avert future strife, "diplomatic the provisions contained in it by men like Senator Fulbright. At
double-talk." as New York's Senator Kenneth Keating branded least, it is on the record as a protest against discrimination—
statements by State Department officials, will continue and even if it comes from a minority in Congress.
peace will remain a dream.
*
*
There is only one way of assuring peace in the Middle East. Cemetery Desecrations
and that is by a strong UN stand in condemnation
• Damage to 1,500 graves in the Lindon, N. J., Jewish cemetery
of repeated
Syrian attacks on Israel in defiance of armistice agreements may mount to an estimated loss of $200.000. But if the vandalism
and territorial rights of the autonomous State of Israel. Steven- stems from a rising anti-Semitism than the loss is not measurable
son, once the idol of the masses, can regain his popularity only in dollars. In that case our problem of facing the issue of bigotry
if !u.‘ shows a modicum of strength in dealing with the combined in this country is becoming more serious.
l;•;Sli-Arab forces that are ganging up against Israel in the UN.
•The devastation of gravestones on a cemetery is serious
Thus far, he has only echoed State Department weaknesses which enough.
But when it turns into the devastation of human senti-
are hardly helpful to American prestige.
ments, then the loss becomes an American problem.
Dr. Kanof
development of America, re-
ceived special commendation
from the Civil War Centennial
Commission at its annual meet-
ing.
On behalf of the commission,
Dr. James I. Robertson, Jr., ex-
ecutive director, presented a
Certificate of Achievement to
the Civil War Centennial Jew-
ish Historical Society Commis-
sion. Justin G. Turner, chair-
man, received the certificate on
behalf of the society.
Vice President
Johnson Presented
AJC Wise Award
(Direct JTA Teletype Wire
to The Jewish News)
BALTIMORE — Vice Presi-
dent Lyndon B. Johnson was
presented Tuesday with the
1962 Stephen S. Wise Medal-
lion award of the American
Jewish Congress Maryland
Chapter.
Some 500 persons attended
the dinner at-which the presen-
tation was made by Dr. Joachim
Prinz, AJCongress president.
The award contains the inscrip-
tion "For distinguished service
to the cause of democracy and
inspiring leadership as Vice
President of the United States
and chairman of the President's
Committee on Equal Employ-
ment Opportunities."
A medallion award for Jew-
ish community service was pre-
sented at the dinner to Harry
Greenstein, executive director
of the Associated Jewish Chari-
ties of Baltimore and former
adviser on Jewish affairs to
Gen. Eisenhower, when he was
commanding general of United
States Occupation Forces in
Germany at the end of World
War II.
The award was presented by
Louis E. Shecter of Baltimore
national co-chairman of the or-
ganization.
Mrs. F.D.R. Presides
at Opening of Israel
Bank in New York
(Direct JTA Teletype Wire
to The Jewish News)
NEW YORK — The Israel
Discount Bank Ltd. opened its
first branch in the United
States on Manhattan's Fifth
Avenue Tuesday in a ceremony
at which Mrs. Eleanor Roose-
velt cut two ribbons placed
across the front doors.
The Israel Bank has been
licensed by the New York
State Banking Department to
accept deposits and conduct
commercial banking operations.
After Mrs. Roosevelt cut the
ribbons, one in the national
colors of the United States and
the other in the colors of
Israel, Mayor Robert Wagner
opened the doors as a gesture
of good will from the people
of the city.
Mrs. Roosevelt then opened
the first account in the branch
and received the first passbook
from R. Recanati, resident di-
rector.