American Jewish Committee, Jewish Labor Committee Repudiate Ben Hecht’s Advertisements

A joint statement by the American Jewish Committee and the Jewish Labor Committee, repudiating the advertisements signed by Ben Hecht, co-chairman of the American League for Free Palestine, approving Palestine terrorism was issued by both organizations today.

The two groups repudiated the Hecht announcement as being “completely unrepresentative of general Jewish sentiment in the United States” and as emanating from a small group which speaks for itself alone. “Responsible Jewish organizations, while unceasing in their efforts to undo the evil consequences of the British White Paper policy in Palestine, condemn terrorism and are appalled at the publication of such statements as are contained in the above-mentioned advertisement,” the statement says. “The cause of the Jews is identified everywhere and at all times with peace, mutual understanding and the orderly processes of law. Terrorism is hostile to the spirit of Jewish religion and tradition.”

(In London, Dr. Nahum Goldmann, member of the Jewish Agency, today described Ben Hecht’s advertisement as “disgusting.”)