Bonn Cabinet to Ask Parliament to End
Crimes Statute; Would Exempt Deputies

(Direct JTA Teletype Wire
to The Jewish News)

BONN—The West German cabi-
net decided Wednesday to ask
Parliament to abolish the statute
of limitations on Nazi war crimes
prosecutions scheduled to go into
effect at the end of this year.
Legislation to that effect, backed
by the federal government, is
virtually assured of passage in the
Bundestag (lower Souse) before the
September national elections.
The cabinet decision was an-
nounced after 0 four-hour discus.
sion that brought the coalition gov-
ernment close to collapse. The law
means that Nazis guilty of mass
murder or other crimes involving
murder would no longer count on
escaping justice by hiding out until
the statute became effective. How-
ever, the cabinet bill contains a
provision for dropping charges
against minor accomplices to mur-
der in certain cases.

State Secretary Guenter Diehl,
spokesman for Chancellor Kurt
Georg Kiesinger, explained that
men guilty of murders only be-
cause they were assigned to exe-
cution squads by their superior
officers, would not be prose-
cuted. He said "one who had no
criminal intent, but who was
simply assigned to an execution
squad became guilty of a crime,
but not of his will and volition."
But, he added, the prosecution
of those who had command pre-
rogatives must be continued.

(The London Express reported
that countless Nazi war criminals
including those who fled abroad or
lived underground to avoid detec-
tion and arrests, would be saved by
the cabinet decision exempting
those who were "following orders."
(The new law, said the Express,
abolishes the statute of limitations
in all cases of civil murder, but
the clause abolishing the statute
for genocide will be "hedged round
with 'safeguards.' " These safe-
guards would protect officials
working in the Nazi machinery,
"victims of the system," he said.)
The cabinet's decision marked
the first time that West Germany
has clearly come to grips with the
question of time limits on war
crimes prosecutions.
A statute of limitations was to
have gone into effect on May 8,
1965, the 20th anniversary of the
surrender of Nazi Germany. But
the Bundestag postponed it for
five years—to Dec. 31, 1969. That
decision was contested by several
judges and by attorneys for ac-
cused Nazis. But the Constitutional
High Court in Karlsruhe ruled
Tuesday that the Bundestag had
acted within the law.
That ruling was believed to have
gone far to pave the way for
Wednesday's cabinet decision.
Another powerful factor was last
November's United Nations decla-
ration urging no statutes of limita-
tions for genocide and other crimes

against humanity. The cabinet was
apparently further persuaded to
abolish the statute by the contin-
uing stream of new evidence lead-
ing to the arrests of suspected war
criminals. Federal President-elect
and former Justice Minister Gus-
tav lieinemann, a strong proponent
of abolition, has argued that scores
of war criminals would go free
because there would not be suffi-
cient time to prepare cases against
them if a statute of limitations was
to go into effect.
The chancellor and his Christian
Democratic majority in the cab-
inet pressed for approval of the
measure. and the Socialists finally
agreed. Kiesinger then directed the
minister of justice to draft the law
by 8 p.m. Thursday evening, a
hasty action that took many mem-
bers of parliament by surprise.
Observers here believe that the
cabinet's decision will be hailed
abroad as much as. if not more
than, within Germany. It will, they
say, temper sonic of the criticism
likely to be heard if the cabinet,
as is expected, decides not to seek
a constitutional ban on the extreme
right-wing national Democratic
Party (NPD). The problem with
the reputedly neo-Nazi NPD has
concerned Liberal Germans almost
as much as the question of the
statute of limitations.
(The London Express. however,
commented that under the new pro-
vision, even charges against Mar-
tin Bormann, accused of mass gen-

Dr. Heschel's 'Israel—An Echo of Eternity':
Paean to Jewry's Rendezvous With History

The convention defines war
ocide, could be dropped on grounds
he was acting under Hitler's or- crimes and crimes against human-
ders. One member of parliament ity and sets forth the obligations
reminded the reporter that Bor- of the ratifying parties. These in-
mann was only the "fuehrer's clude undertakings that no statu-
tory or other limitations shall
deputy.")
apply to the crimes cited and that
UN Document on Crimes such limitations shall be abolished
Ratified by Russia
wherever they exist.
(Direct JTA Teletype Wire
The preamble of the convention
to The Jewish News)
UNITED NATIONS—The Soviet states that war crimes and crimes
Union has ratified the United Na- against humanity are among the
tions convention on the non-applica- gravest crimes in international
bility of statutory limitations on law, and that "their effective pun-
war crimes and crimes against ishment is an important element
humanity, which the General As- in preventing such crimes and in
protecting human rights, encour-
sembly adopted last Nov. 26.
Poland ratified the convention aging confidence, furthering coop-
Feb. 14. It will enter into force 90 eration among peoples and pro-
days after the date of deposit of moting international peace and se-
curity."
the 10th ratification.

Boris Smolar's

'Between You
. . . and Me'

(Copyright INS, JTA Inc.)

COMMUNAL AFFAIRS: It is well known that the technique which
the Jewish community in the United States has developed for philan-
thropic fund-raising is considered the best in use; American non-Jew-
ish philanthropic organizations often refer to it as a model.
The Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds, anxious
to be of help to Israel in whatever way possible, is now developing a
program aimed at aiding Israel in fund-raising activities within that
country, as well as in other nations where funds are being raised by
emissaries from Israel. The program provides for bringing executives
of Israeli institutions to this country for training by federations in
fund-raising methods in community organization.

The federations which give the training provide also the fellow-
ship funds to make it possible. The communities which have so far
In an age of tension, frequently
ple, has never been regarded as "adopted" the first trainees include Cleveland, Milwaukee, Chicago,
bordering on despair, marked by
a geopolitical entity. has never Baltimore, Rochester, Buffalo, San Francisco, Other cities haVe simi-
larly indicated readiness to join the program. The United Jewish Ap-
fears and suspicions, prophecy
been an independent state."
peal and the Joint Distribution Committee have also been helpful in
utilized to inspire mankind serves
"Whatever greatness came about
the project. The usual pattern is for each trainee to concentrate in one
to remove the angers and the
in this land — in song, in story, in
city and learn in depth systems of fund-raising, communal planning
fright that has enveloped mail.
human personalities, in ideas, in
Prof. Abraham Joshua Heschel
inspiration—was the result of Jew- and communal services.
once again emerges as the brilliant
A number of trainees are former Israel Army officers who had
ish living in the land." he declares.
interpreter of prophetic teachings,
"It is here where the great works undertaken fund-raising responsibilities around the world in behalf of
as the instiller of faith, as an in-
of the Jewish people came into be- Keren Hayesod. Others are executives of the Red Mogen David, the
terpreter of an ideal in a text on so
ing: the Bible, the Mishna. the Pal- Federated Fund for Handicapped Children in Israel, and other insti-
high a level that his newest •Nork
estinian Talmud. the Midrashim, tutions.
emerges among the very great in
The National Jewish Welfare Board is similarly conducting a
the Shulhan Arukh, Lurianic mys-
our time.
ticism. No other people has created program in cooperation with the Jewish Agency, which brings Israeli
"Israel — An Echo of Eternity"
educators
and youth workers to the United States on an exchange
original literary works of decisive
(Farrar, Straus and Giroux) is not
significance in the land of Israel. basis and includes them in staffs of Jewish centers. About 50 Israelis
merely a paean to the state and
The words, the songs, the chants were also placed on the staffs of Jewish communal camps last sum-
the nation called Israel. It is a
of Jewish liturgy, which have mer. The same number of Israelis will be brought over this summer
work that gives vent to deepest
shaped the life of prayer in both to camps in the U.S. and Canada where they will act as counselors
feelings emerging from Israel's re-
Judaism and Christianity, were and specialists in arts, crafts, and music.
birth. it is a song of love, a de-
DR. ABRAHAM J. HESCHEL
Israelis who have joined the staffs of Jewish Centers—in addition
horn in the Holy Land. It was in
claration marked by, an idealism ,
to those who were placed on the staffs of summer camps—are reported
"For Zion's sake I will not this land that a man of Israel, the to be making a unique contribution toward intensifying the Jewish
steeped in scriptural delineations. ;
keep silent, and for Jerusalem ' s son of an Israelite carpenter, pro- identification of the people with whom they work. At the same time
What is this miracle called
claimed the gospel of love to the
sake I will not rest . . ."
Israel? It is "a• community of
pagan world and cleared the way they are acquiring skill and experience in Jewish center work and are
concern," a "rendezvous with and continuing throughout this
learning about Jewish life in this country. Some 30 Jewish centers have
for the days f the M
h "
history," and for Dr. Heschel the magnificent work with ancient
There is a reply to Arab claims "adopted" Israelis since the JWB initiated this project.
meaning of Israel can not be ex- lore, to give emphasis to a theme in Dr. Heschel's assertion:
•
•
•
!twisted in a single answer, but that will move all his readers to a
INSIDE ISRAEL: The first plane designed and built entirely in
"The
great
Arab
contributions
that one fact is clear: "In no realization and acknowledgement, came from Mecca, Cairo, Damas- Israel is scheduled to make its maiden flight this month. It is a light
other community do we witness in seeking the meaning of Israel,
commercial aircraft which can carry 20 passengers. It can also carry
such an intense, ongoing search, that "Its sheer being is the sties- cus, Baghdad, not from Jerusalem. cargo. A large
type of Israeli-made aircraft is scheduled to make its
To the Arab nations Eretz Israel
such an effort to understand it- sage."
test
flights soon.
(Land of Israel) is 2 per cent
self in terms of a higher vision
Jerusalem, the "charismatic of a vast territory they inhabit; to
Israel is not yet in a position to produce its own jet-fighters, but
as in Israel. Mere self-preserva- city" whose historic role is re-
Yizhak Ironi, the 45-year-old, Polish-born and American educated direc-
tion is regarded as an trade- viewed from the time of destruc- the Jewish people Eretz Israel is
tor of Military Industries — a state-owned company — believes that "if
equate motivation. Who can fail tion and mourning to the present, home, hope, and all they can call
Israel decides to make its own jet, it will have the technology and
their
own.
It
is
not
only
memory,
to sense glory in the reality of is to Dr. Heschel "a city in a state
industrial capacity to do so within the next two or three years."
a people restored, of a people of trance. Here the prophets lived our past, that ties us to the .and;
Ironi is a man who is well qualified to talk about Israel's
regaining its dignity, after hay- i and ceased to live but their exalta- it is our hope, our future."
capacity to manufacture military equipment. He is in charge of pro-
Historic
memories
are
revived,
ing been defamed and marked tion stayed on. Here the trees
there is a dialogue with the land, ducing army weapons and ammunition not only for Israel's needs but
for destruction? . . . We have j praise, the streets say grace, and
there is the scriptural comfort also for export. The plants which he manages will this. year export
not even begun to fathom the my steps give thanks. The way of
"May
Zion rejoice as her chil- different types of military products 'to 50 countries. There are 5,000
meaning of this great event . . ." Jerusalem is a way of exaltation.
dren are restored to her in joy," men employed in these plants which are scattered throughout the
He commences with Jerusalem, She is so much more than what
as the great theme is developed country.
her "new radiance, new awe," that you see ..."
Israel Aircraft Industries—another state-owned enterprise—which
by Dr. Heschel as a paean of
now "hovers over the whole coun-
There
is
the
vaster
"engagement
faith and an affirmation of the started as a maintenance concern with 70-workers who overhauled air-
try," and he recalls the voice of to the Land," with the Bible as
craft
and which today employs 8,000 people—is certain that there is a
glory
of
a
great religious ideal.
Isaiah (2:2-4), Out of Zion shall "our destiny," that will impress
The roles of all faiths, Jews, tremendous world market for its first light commercial plane. It fore-
go forth the Law . . . nation shall the reader and will lift him to the
not lift up sword against nation"; heights that Dr. Heschel has risen Christians and Arabs, are analyzed, sees the possibility of selling 1,000 planes to other countries. It also
treated with respect and with real- makes the Jet Commander, a business airplane that was formerly
and he acclaims:
with "Israel" as "an echo of ism, as the philosopher who turns manufactured by Rockwell-Standard Corp. in the United States.
"Jerusalem was stopped in the
eternity."
poet in this impressive work deals
Despite the embargo which Gen. Charles de Gaulle, the President
middle of her speech. She is a
Reconstructing history, Prof. with both hope and distress as he of France, has placed on the sale of French planes to Israel, Israel
voice interrupted. Let Jerusalem
Heschel makes the point that in emphasizes Israel's rendezvous Military Industries continues to produce wings and other parts of planes
speak again to our people, to all
for France. Israel has French licenses to manufacture arms and am-
the long interval between the with destiny.
people."
For inspiration as well as en- munition that cannot be cancelled. "The French are a good customer
destruction of the Second Com-
It is with the inspired words of
monwealth in the year 70 and lightenment about Eretz Israel as of ours," Ironi says. "There is no reason why we should not con-
the Bible and the prophets that
the rebirth of Israel in 1948 an entity, as a realistic factor in tinue to sell them our ammunition. After all the embargo is not
Dr. Heschel speaks to his readers,
"Palestine never became a na- history, Dr. Heschel's "Israel—an mutual."
starting as a prelude by quoting
It is revealing no military secret when I state here that Military-
tional
home for any other peo- Echo of Eternity" is one of the
Isaiah 62:1-9,
great works created since the re- Industries produces 90 types of ammunition and 40 types of army
birth,
of
the
.
Jewish
State=
THE
DETROIT
JEWISH
NEWS
Friday,
April
25,
1969
P.S.
.....
wen
po
ns , ..... .....
48

—