Dr. Nahum Goldmann, president of the World Jewish Congress, said in an address to the Governing Council of the Congress which met here: “The Jewish people is always inclined to exaggerate in its reactions to developments, and to veer from excessive enthusiasm to excessive despair. The objective situation of Israel is by far not as bad as many Jews assume it to be. There is no danger to the security of Israel.”
He observed that “Neither are the Arabs now or in the foreseeable future strong enough to defeat or destroy Israel. Nor would the United States, and also some other nations, stand by if Israel were to face real danger and her survival were threatened. Even the Soviet Union does not seem to be interested in the elimination of Israel.”
Dr. Goldmann added that details of frontiers and security arrangements should be left to the Israelis themselves. He said he could understand the great distrust, which was one of the reasons for the prevailing pessimism among large groups of Israelis and Jews everywhere. Nevertheless, it was his considered opinion that the time was opportune for peace, and this opportunity should not be missed. This Dr. Goldmann said, “does not mean peace at any price.” He added that he was optimistic that peace was in sight.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
