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Palestine Problem Should Be Brought Before U.N. Lessing Rosenwald Tells Conference

February 13, 1947
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Declaring that the Palestine problem should be brought before the United Nations, Lessing J.Rosenwald, president of the American Council of Judaism, today told the opening session of the third annual conference of the organization that he was confident “that before the world tribunal the appeal of humanity will overcome the harsh voices of political domination.”

“I am confident, “Rosenwald said, “that from the council of nations proper rebuke will be given to those who presume to threaten war if their racial and nationalist ambitions are not fulfilled.”

Rosenwald told delegates from twenty-two states gathered at the Hotel War-wick that “the London conference, a desperate effort to achieve a measure of stability and order, and of decison on the Palestine problem, is foundering on the rocks of artificially fostered chauvinism.”

In commenting on the newest British proposals for settlement of the Palestine problem, which have been rejected by both Zionists and Arabs, Rosenwald declared: “It is to the sternal shame of the politically organized representatives of the Arabs of Palestine that they thus reject these procedures for home rule, for economic development of that country and for ultimate independence, solely because of the requirement that a haven be offered 100,000 deeply distressed human beings. I cannot forget that, for all of the conflict and all of the wretched contention in Palestine, Jews who have come to Palestine have made an amazing contribution to the upbuilding of that country. It is to the sternal shame of Zionists that they should reject proposals that include provisions for admission of 100,000 and more displaced Jews who have been sorely tried and who need, above all, home and security.”

CALLS FOR INCREASED DP IMMIGRATION TO UNITED STATES

Mr. Rosenwald called for increased immigration of displaced persons into the United States and other countries, including the admission of 100,000 into Palestine and for the adoption of an international bill of rights and adequate machinery to enforce it.

A message was received from President Truman endorsing the efforts of the Council to secure equality for Jews throughout the world, the resettlament of DP’s on a non-sectarian basis, a peaceful solution of the Palestine problem and a maximum integration of “Americans of the Jewish faith into American life.”

Addressing a banqust tonight, Rabbi Irving F.Reichert, of Temple Emanu-El, San Francisco, denounced “political nationalism” as a solution of the Jewish problem. He asserted that “there is nothing in the fundamental principles of Judaism which can support the demand for a Jewish political state in Palestine.”

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