Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Z.O.A. Appeals to Eisenhower to Suspend Arms Aid to Iraq

December 28, 1954
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

Prompted by the officially announced arrival in Iraq of the first shipment of U.S. arms, the national executive committee of the Zionist Organization of America, meeting tonight, unanimously endorsed an appeal by its chairman, Dr. Emanuel Neumann, to President Eisenhower and Secretary of State Dulles, “to avert disaster in the Middle East” and for the “immediate suspension of further shipment of military supplies while the re-examination of our policy is taking place.”

Addressing members who attended the session from all parts of the country, Dr. Neumann declared that, in spite of “recently inspired statements about impending re-examination of U.S. official policy in the Middle East and intimations that some reassuring words might be expected, the State Department is proceeding to implement a policy fatal to the stability of the Middle East and destructive of our avowed purposes in that region.” He emphasized that “no conditions have been made and no guarantees have been exacted” that Iraq will refrain from carrying out her threats of aggression against Israel.

“The shipment of military supplies, which has now begun, will encourage Arab politicians and fire-eating demagogues everywhere to indulge in more saber-rattling and inflammatory propaganda. It is an American invitation to Arab violence,” Dr. Neumann said.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement