Chstreh, Labor Leaders Give Israel Support
(Continued from Page 1)
Hungary, as well as representatives
from West European Jewish com-
munities.
"In this fateful hour," the dec-
laration stated, "when the exist-
ence of Israel is threatened, the
Jewish people throughout the
world stand steadfast shoulder to
shoulder with their brothers and
sisters in Israel and pledges its
unswerving support in defense of
Israel's freedom and indepen-
dence."
After stating that they could not
believe that the great powers
would deny Israel the right and
means of defending herself, the
delegates called in their declara-
tion upon the great powers, the
United Nations and the maritime
states to uphold the right of access
to the ocean. "At this grave mo-
ment, we appeal to men and women
of good will, independent of race
or faith, to rally to the cause of
Israel," the declaration concluded.
In New York, approximately
45,000 people representing some
178 organizations and groups, in-
cluding Hebrew schools through.
out the metropolitan area, Zion-
ist youth, members of the Jew-
ish faith in the New York Police
Department and other city agen-
cies and various nationality as-
sociations marched Sunday along
a 28-block route on this city's
West Side in the largest pro-
Israel parade since the establish-
ment of the Jewish State.
What was to have been the an-
nual "Salute to Israel" parade, this
year marking Israel's 19th year of
independence, became as well, a
demonstration of American Jewish
solidarity with Israel in its hour
of crisis.
Many thousands of onlookers
jammed the streets and cheered
the colorful procession of brightly-
attired and uniformed marchers,
the array of floats, and the bands
and fife-and-drum corps.
The parade, led by New York
City Chief Police Inspector San-
ford Gorelick, culminated in a
huge rally at which speakers in-
chided Dr. Joachim Prinz, chair-
man of the Conference of Presi-
dents of Major American Jewish
Organizations; Rabbi Seymour Co-
hen. president of the Synagogue
Council of America; Aaron Gold-
man. president of the National
Community Relations Advisory
Council; Rabbi Israel Miller, pre-
sident of the American Zionist
Council and noted American his-
torian Barbara Tuchman.
•WE ARE NOT ALONE'
Michael Arnon, Israel consul-
general in New York, said of the
parade that "We are made to feel
that we are not alone." The par-
ade, he said, was both a "festive
and a grim occasion" and that it
was time to join together both in
celebration and in prayer.
Sponsor of the celebration was
the Conference of Presidents of
Major American Jewish Organiza-
tions, comprised of 21 national
Jewish religious and secular bodies
with a combined membership of
more than 4.000,000. Patrons in-
cluded a number of American and
Israel enterprises and American
Zionist groups.
The speakers were introduced
by Theodore Comet, the parade
chairman, who also presented the
guests of honor: Nobel laureate S .
Y. Agnon and Israel's permanent
representative to the UN, Gideon
Rafael.
Earlier, Comet had lodged a
protest with the police depart-
ment for granting permission for
a pro-Arab demonstration along
a line of march — two blocks
away — parallel with that of the
pro-Israel parade. About 65 per-
sons who described themselves'
as Americans of Arab descent
walked along the sidewalk on
Broadway and converged at 86th
Street, only about 50 feet from
the parade.
As they shouted and brandished
pro-Nasser signs. there were num-
erous minor clashes with enraged
26—Friday, June 2, 1967
the Socialist International, rul-
spectators, but a special police con- ment United States commitments of
ing body of world socialism out-
tingent kept violence under control. ti Israel's security'. The rabbis, side the Soviet Union, held a spe-
Eight prominent Christian clergy. delegates to the Rabbinical As- cial meeting in London. After a
men, including the Rev. Dr. Martin sembly's 67th annual convention, three-hour debate, all of it friend-
Luther King, Jr., winner of the also took steps to mobilize their ly to Israel, the bureau adopted a
Nobel Peace Prize, issued a state- congregations for mass demon- resolution calling on all govern-
ment Saturday urging all Ameri- strations in support of Israel.
ments to help reduce tensions- in
They requested other rabbinical the Middle East. The resolution
cans to "support the independence,
integrity and freedom of Israel in groups to declare a day of fasting also called on the UN to restore
and prayer for Israel. A resolution to its former positions the United
the current crisis."
The group included leaders of called on the government to pro- Nations Emergency Force, and to
the Protestant, Catholic and Rus- claim the. fixed and unalterable assure freedom of shipping through
sian Orthodox faiths. The clergy- policy, preferably in concert with the Strait of Tiran.
men declared that "men of con- other nations, but if need
be . by
The British Trade Union Con-
. .
science must not remain silent at itself, to secure the territoria l
gress also acted Sunday on the
this time" and warned that the tegrity of Israel." The council also Middle East crisis.
Egyptian blockade of the Strait of asked for "action now" to imple-
The congress called for the pre-
Tiran "may lead to a major con- ment free access of shipping in the servation of peace on the Israeli-
Gulf
of
Aqaba.
Arab
borders and for freedom of
flagration."
The Union of American Hebrew passage through the Strait of Ti-
CHURCHMEN'S BACKING
Congregations
called
on
President
ran. It also urged the UN Security
In addition to Dr. King, who
signed the churchmen's statement Johnson to "take all necessary Council to seek a "durable solu-
as president of the Southern Chris- steps" to guarantee the "right of tion" of the Middle East situation,
tian Leadership Conference, the free and innocent passage for all and called on the International
in the Gulf of Aqaba" at Confederation of Trade Unions and
signers included: the Rev. John shipping
C. Bennett, president, Union Theo- a meeting of the organization's the French Confederation of Trade
board
of
trustees,
the congregation- Unions to act in similar vein.
logical Seminary; the Rev. Robert
McAfee Brown, professor of reli- al representatives of 680 Reform
EMERGENCY MEETING
gion, Stanford University; Dr. temples in the United States and
A resolution expressing the soli-
Franklin Littell, president, I owa Canada.
darity of British Jewry with Israel
Forty young American Jews, in the crisis, and warning against
Wesleyan College; Dr. Reinhold
Niebuhr, professor-emeritus of mostly college students between attempts to "appease" Arab rulers,
age
18 and 25, left Tuesday for was approved unanimously Tues-
theology, Union Theological Semi-
nary; the Rev. Alexander Schme- Israel by El Al to participate in day night by 1,000 persons who
summer
work programs in various attended an emergency meeting
mann, dean, St. Vladimir's Rus-
sian Orthodox Seminary; Rev. John collective settlements.
convened by the Board of Deputies
Arrangements for their place- of British Jews.
Sheerin, editor, The Catholic
World; and Bishop Stephen Gill ment in Israel are being made by
Chief Rabbi Immanuel Jakobo-
the Jewish Agency office in Jerus-
Spotswood of Washington.
vitz and representatives of 14
The switchboard of American alem. The youths, who have paid major British Jewish organizations
Red Magen David at 50 West for their own transportation, are joined in issuing the call.
57th St., New York, has been part of the regular summer work
The resolution demanded im-
flooded with calls from persons progams conducted annually by the mediate
effective action to
wanting to help the Israel Red American Zionist Youth Founda- maintain and
the Tiran Strait as an
Cross Service, Magen David tion. Ordinarily, they would have international
waterway
for ships
left
for
Israel
late
in
June,
but
this
Adorn, for which the New York
cargoes of all nations.
agency acts as supply and sup- year, in view of the needs for and
The resolution warned that de-
workers in the agricultural settle-
port wing.
in settling the dispute would
The callers offered to come and ments, their date of departure was lays
endanger
the cause of peace. It
advanced.
help send supplies, give blood or
said
the
people of Israel were "fac-
In Toronto, more than 300 Tor-
send in gifts. Many spoke in the
ing
threats
and warlike actions by
onto
Jews,
half
of
them
young
names of organizations willing to
Arab states in defiance of the
donate ambulances or other major people, staged a demonstration the
United
Nations
charter."
of support for Israel Saturday
first-aid equipment.
Aharon Remez, the Israeli Am-
One group, the United Brothers in Nathan - Philips Square, in bassador,
told the meeting that if
of Tomashov of the Bronx, New front of Toronto City Hall. A the deadlock
was not dealth with
York, announced that its execu- letter by the organizers of the forcefully, it could
precipitate a
demonstration
was
sent
to
Prime
tives had met in special session
involving more than the Jews
and voted to send an ambulance Minister Lester Pearson and war
of
Israel.
He
assured
the cheering
United
Nations
Secretary-Gen-
to Magen David Adorn.
assemblage that the Israeli army
The American Trade Union Coun- eral U Thant.
"will
defend
the
country
as never
The demonstration did not have
cil for Histadrut concluded a three-
day conference at Unity House, the official sanction of the new before."
Rabbi Jakobovitz declared that
P.A., adopting a $1,000,000 emer- Federated Zionist Organization of "we will not allow the destruction
gency quota to help tide over Hist- Canada, only because its board of Israel—We have treaties of mu-
adrut, the Israel labor federation, had not yet met. All individual
during the current Middle East officers of the Federation approv- tual defense with our brethren in
Israel and if they need us we are
ed the march.
crisis.
In Los Angeles, more than 5,000 theirs to command." He called for
The conference, attended by 250
trade union leaders, adopted a persons attended a mass meeting the mobilization of material re-
of British Jewry and said
resolution expressing deep concern called by the Community Relations sources
"t housand s" of British-Jewish
about "the continuing crisis in the Committee of the Los Angeles Jew- youth "are ready to respond at a
Middle East brought about by un- ish Federation-Council, to endorse
relieved threats to the existence of a resolution expressing the Jewish phone call if necessary."
community's concern over the
IRELAND JOINS IN
the State of Israel."
threat to peace in the Middle East.
Chief Rabbi Isaac Cohen of Ire-
LABOR ADDS VOICE
A
copy
of
the
resolution
was
for-
land
came
to the meeting to asso-
Moe Falikman, chairman of the
American Trade Union Council for warded to the consul-general of ciate Irish Jewry with the expres-
Israel,
Avshalom
Caspi,
for
trans-
sion
of
solidarity.
Histadrut, reported that George
In Paris, more than 7.000 per-
Meany, AFL-CIO president; Wal- fer to Prime Minister Eshkol.
sons joined Tuesday night in the
BRITISH JEWS RALLY
ter Reuther, president of the Unit-
In London, a demonstration of first public demonstration for Is-
ed Automobile Workers; Joe Cur-
ran, president of the National 10,000 persons, acclaiming "Soli- rael during the crisis. They includ-
Maritime Union; Paul Hall, presi- darity with Israel," was held Sun- ed 2,000 students who came to the
dent of the Seafarers International day, with the participation of scheduled meeting in the Latin
Union, and many others, have ex- many leading members of Parlia- Quarter and another 5,000 who
pressed solidarity with Histadrut, ment, representing all of Britain's were unable to find seats and re-
the Israel labor federation. major political parties, as well as mained outside.
Two public declarations of sup-
The conference received a cable some of the country's most noted
from Aharon Becker, secretary- scholars, churchmen, authors and port for Israel were published in
the
previous 48 hours. The first
artists.
general of the Histadrut in Israel,
The demonstration opened at the was issued Monday by philosopher
expressing appreciation to Ameri-
Jean
Paul Sartre and about 100
can labor for its "adequate res- Speakers Corner of Hyde Park,
French intellectuals.
ponse and expression in these days and the participants marched two other
A second statement on the
of grave danger to our existence, miles to the Israel Embassy, to same
theme was published Wed-
present
a
document
affirming
soli-
achievements and future."
nesday, also signed mostly by
The City Council of Philadelphia darity with Israel during the cur- leftist intellectuals, called "The
crisis.
unanimously adopted a resolution rent The
Group of Twenty-Nine," direct-
document was signed by
commending President Johnson for 90 members
ed by Emanuel Dastier de Is
of Parliament and
his firm stand in the Middle East by some of Britain's
Vigerie, a close friend of Sta-
most
noted
crisis, and urging him to do every- intellectuals. It "w elcome d"
lin's daughter, Svetlana, now a
thing in his power to safeguard Prime Minister Harold Wilson's
defector in the United States.
the integrity and security of Israel. and the government's "readiness
The second statement said "The
The Israel consul-general in to take part in international ac-
right of the existence of Israel,
Philadelphia, Issachar Ben-Yaacov, tion to maintain freedom of pas-
including open communications,
was asked to convey special greet- sage through the Strait of Tiran"
must be guaranteed and respect-
ings to the city of Tel Aviv in con- and urged strongly that "this ac-
ed."
nection with the current crisis.
The theme of the speeches at
tion be taken immediately, so
Five hundred Conservative
the Latin Quarter rally was soli-
that
ships
of
all
nations
be
al-
rabbis from throughout America
lowed to pass that international darity with Israel. The speakers
called on their Congressmen to
waterway without let or hind- said that the issue no longer was
ask support of moves to imple-
only the problem of freedom of
rance."
At the same time, the bureau passage for Israeli shipping in the
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Gulf of Aqaba, but the existence
of Israel.
The speakers asked the French
government and President Charles
de Gaulle to change their attitude
in favor of Israel.
SOUTH AFRICAN YOUTH
In Johannesburg, plans to send
South African Jewish youth volun-
teers to Israel to serve in non-
combatant roles were approved
Tuesday night at a special meet-
ing of the Zionist Federation.
The meeting approved a general
resolution to provide the utmost
aid from South African Jewry to
Israel.
The meeting also decided to
launch immediately an emergency
fund-raising effort.
Large numbers of South African
Jewish young people have
offered
their services to Israel. The first
group will leave soon.
An affirmation of South Afri-
can Jewry's solidarity with Is-
rael was also registered at an
inter-provincial meeting by the
South African Board of Jewish
Deputies.
In Zurich, a pastoral letter was
read in churches Sunday express-
ing the concern of the clergymen
over the threat of an armed con-
flict between Arabs and Israelis.
The letter declared that the Jew-
ish people, who have founded a
country in Palestine after many
sufferings "must not be oppressed
aga (Pope
" Paul VI appealed directly
to Israel and the United Arab Re-
public to safeguard peace in the
Middle East. In cablegrams to his
representatives in Jerusalem and
Cairo, the Pontiff spoke of "the
absolute necessity" of preserving
peace.)
BRAZILIANS' PEACE PLEA
In Sao Paulo, more than 3,000
Brazilian Jews, many of them
young persons, held a rally in the
huge Hebraica Hall Wednesday in
which they called for peace in the
Middle East.
In a wire to Brazilian President
Costa E. Silva, the participants in
the rally asked him to do all in
his power to secure a solution to
the Middle East impasse in accord-
ance with Brazil's tradition of
peace.
Special streamers bearing peace
slogans were displayed in the Jew-
ish district of Bomretiro.
In Vienna, the Organization
of Austrian Trade Unions sent a
message Tuesday to Aharon
Becker, secretary general of His-
tadrut, the Israel Labor Federa-
tion, expressing the hope for a
peaceful settlement of the cur-
rent crisis in the Middle East.
In a cable to Becker, the Aus-
trian trade unionists said they ex-
pected the democratic world to do
everything possible to spare the
Israeli people further suffering.
In Amsterdam, a resolution urg-
ing member states of the UN Se-
curity Council to safeguard Israel
and maintain her rights to free
passage through the Gulf of Aqaba
was adopted at a mass meeting or-
ganized by the Zionist Association
of the Netherlands.
The meeting was addressed by
representatives of various Dutch
political parties.
In Copenhagen, three persons
were knifed and an Algerian is
missing in a violent fight that
erupted between Arabs and sup-
porters of Israel following a pro-
Israel demonstration in downtown
Copenhagen, police reported.
SERIOUSLY HURT
One Arab is in critical condition
in a Copenhagen hospital with
knife wounds in his stomach.
An Algerian was missing fol-
lowing the fight, his friends al-
leging that he was kidnaped. They
forced into a car at
gunpoint.
The fighting took place along a
lake following a mass rally for
Israel in City Hall Square, in
which many non-Jews indicated
strong support of Israel in an in-
terfaith demonstration.