More than 2000 persons streamed into Carnegie Hall last night to celebrate Israel’s 28th anniversary and to affirm their solidarity with the Jewish State. The event was sponsored by the American Zionist Federation.
Chaim Herzog, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, who came to address the gathering directly from the Security Council where a debate began yesterday on Israeli practices on the West Bank, said that Israel is ready to make peace and negotiate with its Arab neighbors. But he reiterated Israel’s determination not to deal with the Palestine Liberation Organization which, he said, bases its policies on “brutal terrorism.”
The Israeli envoy also said that no peace will be achieved in the Middle East unless the Arabs recognize Israel as an independent sovereign Jewish State in the Mideast and become reconciled to this idea. On the current Mideast debate in the UN, which Egypt called for, Herzog said that “extremist elements are trying to sabotage the mechanism for peace in the Middle East and the agreements” which have already been achieved. The issue, he declared, “is not territories or Palestinians. At the heart of the conflict is the Arabs’ refusal to recognize the existence and sovereignty of Israel.”
Mrs. Faye Schenk, president of the AZF. called on New York’s Jewish community to “show their solidarity and support for Israel” and conveyed the greetings of New York a Jews to Israel on its Independence Day. “As we join our fellow Jews and Israel in beginning another year of Israeli independence, Israeli sovereignty, and Israeli democracy, let us include along with our congratulations and greetings, a determination to exert every effort on behalf of Israel and the world Zionist community at large.” Mrs. Schenk of declared.
Mayor Abraham Beame presented the city’s greetings for the occasion. A dramatic program called “Mutuality,” written and directed by playwright Dore Schary, was presented to commemorate Israel’s anniversary and the American Bicentennial.
ANNIVERSARY MARKED IN OTHER CITIES
Israel Independence Day celebrations were held in Jewish communities across the country. In Los Angeles, more than 15,000 participants joined a 10-mile Solidarity Walk-Israel Independence Day celebration last Sunday which also marked the conclusion of the United Jewish Welfare Fund-Israel Emergency Fund drive. The day-long event was sponsored by the Jewish Federation-Council Youth and Young Adults Council. Officially registered walkers presented their credentials to be stamped for redemption by previously solicited sponsors who agreed to make a contribution to the UJWF for each mile completed.
An afternoon rally in Los Angeles featured Russian emigre Aviva Klein Gendin whose husband, Lev, is still waiting permission from Soviet authorities to join his wife in Israel. Subject to constant harassment and repeated arrests, Gendin gained world-wide headlines in 1974 when he escaped prison after being beaten by anti-Semitic inmates and guards. Mrs. Gendin expressed confidence that American public opinion would help free her husband.
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