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State Dept. Calls Arab Envoy to Account for Anti-jewish Speech

September 30, 1960
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The Department of State made known today that it has called Ambassador Mustafa Kamel of the United Arab Republic to account for portions of an anti-Jewish address delivered in Washington by the Ambassador on August 29.

William B. Macomber, Jr., Assistant Secretary of State, revealed the development in a letter to Rep. Seymour Halpern, New York Republican. Rep. Halpern had lodged a formal protest with the Department against the speech in which Ambassador Kamel questioned the loyalty of American Jewry and urged Arab students in America to inject anti-Jewish and anti-Israel propaganda into current election activity.

Mr. Macomber said that “certain aspects of the text to which you have referred gave the Department concern, and were brought to the Ambassador’s attention.” He added that “with respect to possible improper activities of the students,” the appropriate agencies of the Justice Department were following the situation closely. He said any abuses would be “dealt with promptly.”

Rep. Halpern had asked the Department to consider declaring the Ambassador persona non grata because of his attack on a section of the American public and interference in the internal political scene.

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