The “firm belief” that Israel seeks an enduring peace for itself and the neighboring Arab countries was expressed here tonight by Dr. R.A. Mackay, Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, addressing a dinner of the American committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science at the Waldorf Astoria. The event was attended by 1,500 guests, each of whom paid $250 per plate. The proceeds will go towards the construction of a Physics Institute at the Weizmann Institute where nuclear induction laboratories will be housed.
“I am well aware that we still stand in the shadow of momentous events–yet I firmly believe that the country, which gave birth to the great Jewish and Christian ideal of peace among men, seeks only an enduring peace for itself, its neighbors and all mankind, “Dr. Mackay said. (Israel Ambassador Abba Eban was also one of the guest speakers at the dinner, but at the time the Bulletin went to press he had not yet delivered his speech.)
Senator Herbert H. Lehman, speaking at the dinner, charged the Eisenhower Administration with having failed to heed the many warnings from the Middle East. “The Middle East time bomb has been ticking away for along time,” he said, “while we have idly sat by and permitted the tensions to grow more and more acute. The leading nations of the free world must, however, recognize that peace in the Middle East will come only through direct negotiations between Israel and its neighbors. It cannot be imposed by an outside power, no matter how valid its interest or how good its intentions.”
Mrs. Chaim Weizmann, widow of Israel’s first President and a medical scientist in her own wright, refuted accusations that Israel is an aggressor and appealed for “constructive guidance and effective help from America in Israel’s quest for peace.” A close collaborator of her late husband, Mrs. Weizmann challenged any nation to have acted differently under the circumstances facing Israel, and said that “Israel wishes nothing more than peace for everybody.” The dinner, which marked the 82nd anniversary of the birth of Dr. Weizmann, also observed the 80th birthday of Louis Lipsky, dean of American Zionists. Dewey D. Stone, chairman of the Board of Governors of the Weizmann Institute, also addressed the gathering.
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