U.S. Zionist Leaders Report on Congress; Warn of Dangers Facing Israel

The 24th World Zionist Congress which recently concluded in Jerusalem was described tonight by high-ranking American Zionist leaders as an imposing demonstration of Jewish solidarity in support of Israel’s struggle for security and as having underscored the continued need of a strong Zionist movement for Jewish cultural and spiritual survival in all lands outside of Israel.

At the same time the Zionist leaders, who just returned from the twelve-day Jerusalem sessions, sounded a grim warning that the Hammarskjold mission notwithstanding, an Arab war of aggression against Israel can only be avoided through the supply of adequate defensive arms to Israel by the United States. The Zionist leaders, representing all branches of the movement in this country, spoke at a public rally at the Hotel Roosevelt, convened by the American Zionist Council, to report on the major decisions of the Zionist Congress.

Rabbi Irving Miller, chairman of the American Zionist Council, reported that while in Israel he “found the man in the street deeply baffled at America’s attitude.” The Israeli citizen is at a complete loss to understand why Israel, the only country in the Middle East fighting Communism, is singled out by our country for a denial of arms for its legitimate defense. “Israel is not asking, nor does it want America boys to come to fight its battle,” he pointed out. “All it asks are the tools with which to defend itself. The Israeli people wonder why after seven months of pleading for defensive arms, Mr. Dulles response is one lame explanation after another. While the Arab states are constantly being appeased and furnished with arms, Israel is being fed with explanations.”

Dr. Israel Goldstein asserted that “in Israel there is no illusion about the long-range value of Mr. Hammarskjold’s visit. While there is grateful appreciation of the value of his visit in the Middle East in effecting a cease fire agreement, there is skepticism as to whether Nasser and his allies will respect these agreements as long as they continue to have a preponderance of arms. It is felt that Nasser will be tempted to try an adventure of aggression as long as he has overwhelming superiority in air weapons, and that only Israel’s possession of adequate arms with which to meet such an attack can be a reliable deterrent to his aggressive plans.

INTERNAL PROBLEMS OF ZIONIST MOVEMENT DISCUSSED AT RALLY

Mrs. Moses P. Epstein, Hadassah leader, maintained that the Zionist Congress “was important not because of resolutions passed but because of the new orientation and changed approach which the establishment of the State of Israel has brought to the Zionist movement.” The impression which one took back from the Congress and the visit to Israel, she said, was one of purposeful building and magnificent opportunities offered to the Jewish people to provide a home for those who must seek sanctuary there, to serve as a symbol of the united strength of the Jewish people, and to prevent a preview of what scientific progress and social enlightenment can bring to the Middle East.”

Jacques Torczyner, vice president of the Zionist Organization of America, alluding to the exclusion of the Herut Party from the Jewish Agency executive, expressed regret that “a national unity executive was not created.” He also said that “it is most regrettable that the distribution of portfolios in the executive is such that the largest party at the Congress, the Confederation of General Zionists, has the smallest number of important portfolios.

Louis Segal, Labor Zionist leader, voiced the view that the implementation of the major decisions adopted by the Congress “will convert Zionism into an even large mass movement for aid to Israel and for ensuring the cultural survival of the Jewish people outside of Israel.” He listed these decisions as embracing the formation of Zionist territorial unions, the coopting of non-Zionists into important efforts for Israel, the assumption of greater obligations and responsibilities by Zionists, as well as the closer relationship between Zionism and the Israel Government.

Rabbi Mordecai Kirshblum, president of the Mizrachi Organization of America, said: “The Zionist Congress succeeded primarily in pinpointing the vital worldwide interest in Israel’s growth, stability and security. The 500 spokesmen for organized Jewish communities the world over demonstrated the strong bonds which exist between them and Israel, the fountainhead of Hudaism and Jewish spirituality.