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U.S. State Dept.sees Strong, Moral Rebuke to Syria in United Nations Vote

September 5, 1963
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State Department sources said today that despite the Soviet veto of the American-backed United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Syria’s murder of two Israelis, the American stand and the seven other favorable votes in the Council yesterday must be noted in Syria, and should be a source of gratification to Israel.According to State Department thinking, it was obvious that the Soviet Union, through the veto, is attempting to exploit Arab, anti-Israel passions.

State Department officials said that the free world had to live with the Soviet veto in many instances in the past. They said that, while the veto hindered and weakened the United Nations, it did not destroy all the impact of the UN action.

The general view of the United States on the veto was described as similar to that of Isreel.Despite the veto, officials said, a strong moral judgment has been expressed. The American role, particularly, cannot be ignored by Syria, it was said.

Note was taken here of criticism of the American standby the Arab press and radio. The State Department’s reaction was that the Department reacted properly, and pursued the only course it could conscientiously follow.

(London dispatches from Cairo today reported Egypt’s President Gamal Abdel Nasser as telling his army that Egyptian armed forces are ready to help any other Arab country against Israel, He made this announcement in an address to troops returning from service in Yemen.He said Israel might feel now that ‘It could seise the opportunity of present maneuvers by the Syrian Baath Party.” But he proclaimed that his forces were ready to shed blood against Israel, regardless of political differences among various Arab states.)

The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations today telegraphed to President Kennedy its “profound appreciation” for the position taken by the United States in the Security Council debate and final balloting concerning the latest Syrian-Israeli dispute, Rabbi Irving Miller, president of the Conference, told Mr. Kennedy that the Jewish leaders were “greatly heartened” by America’s call on the Council, through an address by the U. S.delegation head, Adlai E.Stevenson, urging the UN body “to accept its responsibilities and act with courage and wisdom.”It is our sincere hope, ” the wire to the President stated, “that, regardless of the final outcome, our country’s firm position will deter further aggression in the Middle East, and promote stability and order.”

Associated with Rabbi Miller’s wire to the President were the presidents of the following organizations: American Israel Public Affairs Committee, American Jewish Congress, American Zionist Council, American Trade Union Council for Histadrut, B’nai B’rith, Hadassah, Jewish Agency for Israel, Jewish Labor Committee, Jewish War Veterans of the U. C. A, Labor Zionists Movement, Religious Zionists of America, National Community Relations Advisory Council, National Council of Jewish Women, National Council of Young Israel, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, Union of American Hebrew Congregations, United Synagogue of America, and the Zionist Organization of America.

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