Hadassah Convention Hears Assurances on U.s.-israel Relations

The belief that the clouds hovering over American-Israel relations will pass away was expressed here today by Sen. Alexander Wiley, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in an address before 4,000 delegates to the Hadassah convention now taking place here.

Wen. Wiley said that the friendship between Israel and the United States “is too deep, too warm – to permit it to be harmed.” He asked for patience and understanding. At the same time, he emphasized that Congressional leadership “will not presume to usurp the prerogatives of the Executive Branch” and pointed out that members of the Congress “are not in the business of day-to-day formulating and implementing of foreign policy.” This, he said, is the province of the State Department.

Declaring that “extremism breeds extremism” and “raids breed reprisal,” the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said that in place of conditions necessary for an Arab-Israel peace, there were “the choking economic blockade, the closing of the Suez Canal to Israeli commerce, the barbed wire tension, and the host of other artificial conditions which have bred the present crisis.” It was the world which suffered as well as Israel and her neighbors from Arab-Israel border war, he stated, adding that the Communists may exploit the situation to “play their devilish mischief.”

HADASSAH ASKS AMERICA TO RESUME FINANCIAL AID TO ISRAEL

Yesterday, the national board of the Hadassah adopted a resolution criticizing the State Department for withholding American aid to Israel. “The attempt of our government to coerce a friendly government to surrender what it believe to be its legitimate rights in the peaceful development of its own resources appears to be a deviation from the spirit and purpose of the American program to help other democratic and freedom loving nations to strengthen their economies,” the resolution said.

The resolution noted that the United States is continuing economic aid to Egypt despite that country’s persistent blockade of Israel-bound shipping. Pointing out that the “inequality of treatment must inevitably strengthen those intransigent elements who seek to impede peace,” the resolution called on the State Department to re-examine its position, urged the resumption of economic assistance to Israel and called on the United Nations and the United States to urge the Arab states to enter into “direct negotiations with Israel looking toward achievement of lasting peace.”

EBAN HOPES ISRAEL-AMERICAN PARTNERSHIP WILL BE RESTORED

Addressing tonight’s session of the convention, Israel Ambassador Abba Eban expressed the opinion that difficulties would pass and that the Israel-American partnership would be restored to “full intimacy and vigor.” He said that the United States, “our staunchest friend and ally blessed with water and power in unparalleled abundance,” would not deny “Israel’s little stream.” Referring to the hydroelectric project near the Syrian frontier, Mr. Eban said “nothing could be less accurate than the allegation that Israel is ‘in defiance’ of international law.”

Mrs. Samuel W. Halprin, who presided, told the assembled Hadassah leaders that “what concerns us gravely is the good name of our own government, as well as the well-being of Israel.” She pointed out that the United States will sit as one of the members of the Security Council of the United Nations to pass judgment on Israel, “yet it has taken sides and rendered judgment that is hasty.” She said “we decry this unilateral and hasty action.”