More than 20,000 people tonight jammed Madison Square Garden to protest against the delivery by Communist countries of arms to Egypt and to urge the United States Government to conclude a security pact with Israel, as well as to make available arms to Israel, to protect the Jewish State from the danger of attack by the Arabs. (See message from President Eisenhower on Page 4.)
The huge assembly adopted a resolution pointing out that Israel’s security and the stability of the Middle East are vital to the defense of the Free World against Communist aggression and are consequently American interests of the highest priority.
“We therefore urge our Government to negotiate without delay security treaties with the State of Israel and any other states of the Middle East which desire the preservation of peace, guaranteeing the frontiers and boundaries of such states against aggression from any quarter,” the resolution stated. “We further urge upon our Government that it make available to the State of Israel military means for its legitimate self-defense. The highest interests of justice and the security of free democratic nations everywhere demand that America shall act today firmly and decisively before it is too late.”
The rally, which was called by the American Zionist Council, representing all Zionist organizations in this country, was co-sponsored by major national Jewish organizations as well as labor bodies, including American Jewish Congress; American Trade Union Council for Israel; American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs, B’nai B’rith; Jewish Labor Committee; Jewish War Veterans; Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America; United Synagogue of America.
Presided over by Rabbi Irving Miller, chairman of the American Zionist Council, the rally was addressed by Dr. Nahum Goldmann, chairman of the Jewish Agency; Dr. Abba Hillel Silver of Cleveland; Mayor Robert F. Wagner of New York City; Dr. Israel Goldstein, president of the American Jewish Congress; Rabbi Abraham J. Feldman, president of the Synagogue Council of America; Nathan Chanin, chairman of the administrative committee of the Jewish Labor Committee, and others.
DR. GOLDMANN APPEALS TO U.S. GOVERNMENT FOR “BOLD ACTION”
Dr. Nahum Goldmann, in his address, warning of the grave danger facing Israel and Middle East peace as a result of Communist shipments to the Arab states, declared that only bold action by the United States Government can save the situation. “If this government would announce its clear intention to implement the moral obligation it has assumed under the three power Declaration of 1950 to preserve the balance of military strength between Israel and the Arab states; if this government, furthermore, would announce its intention to offer Israel a security treaty, simultaneously extending similar offers to any Arab state that wishes to avail itself of this offer, the situation would change, radically and favorably, overnight, ” he said.
The speaker asserted that “for years the friends of Israel throughout the world have cautioned the Western powers that a policy of appeasement and of condoning Arab intransigence may fester into a major catastrophe for the Western powers,” adding that “now these perils have materialized.” He charged that Egypt is “unconscionable and indiscriminate” in the means she uses to achieve military superiority for aggressive purposes.
“There is in formation in Cairo today,” he said, “a dangerous cabal of ruthlessly ambitious Egyptian military officers and former Nazi military technicians, and Cairo will certainly not hesitate to invite Soviet technicians. This combination of plotters and incorrigible foes of democracy can become a formidable danger unless checked immediately. This combination has already begun to threaten other states and peoples in the Middle east. Israel is the first target of this plot.”
SAYS AMERICAN JEWRY MUST DISPLAY SOLIDARITY WITH ISRAEL
Addressing himself to the Government of the United States, Dr. Goldmann said that “we are not forgetful of the inherent friendship of the Administration and the American people for Israel.” He cited the acts of approval of a Jewish National Home on the part of the Congress of the United States and the bi-partisan support rendered by every American administration. “What we complain of and criticize in U.S. policy today,” he said, “is not its lack of good intentions, its lack of friendship towards Israel, but rather its lack of firmness, consistency and decision.” He added that “what is lacking is the determination to support this sincere intent with clear and firm deeds, with a policy that will convince the Arab world that the U.S.A. will not permit circumvention, subversion and frustration of its intentions.”
The Zionist leader emphasized that “today more than ever before, American Jewry, jointly with Jewish communities throughout the world, must give public expression to its unconditional solidarity to Israel in this hour of crisis.” He pointed out that “there was never a moment in the history of America’s support of Jewry’s national aspirations when the interests of the U.S. and Israel were so parallel, so indivisibly identical as they are today. If American Jews should organize today all possible support behind Israel’s demand, they will be discharging their most sacred obligation as Americans and as Jews.” Addressing himself to Israel, Dr. Goldmann uttered these words: “The Jewish people everywhere is behind you. The Jewish people has never let you down and will never let you down.”
MAYOR WAGNER URGES STATE DEPT. TO PREVENT WAR IN MIDDLE EAST
Mayor Wagner, in his address, urged that “our State Department must move fast, forcefully and effectively. We must prevent an outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East both now and in the future. We must offer to the Israeli, and also to the Arab powers, the strength and stability of a mutual security pact with the United States of America. We must, with Britain and France, renew our guarantee of the existing borders of Israel. We must call upon the Soviets to make good the promissory note of Geneva by a prompt payment – using their good offices with Czechoslovakia to cancel the arms agreement with Egypt. Failing this, we should be prepared to supply to Israel the necessary arms and, yes, the know-how, to help to protect them from aggression.”
Dr. Israel Goldstein said that “the United States played an important part in the establishment of Israel. It should play an important part in seeing to it that Israel’s existence is secured. It must be secured not only by supplies of arms but by a guarantee against aggression by its neighbors. The same kind of guarantee can be given to its neighbors as well. Such a guarantee against aggression can be, if necessary, unilateral a declaration by the United States alone or in concert with other powers, that it will not tolerate aggression by one of the Middle East nations against another.”
Nathan Chanin, in the name of hundreds of thousands of Jewish workers, extended “brotherly greetings” to the people of Israel and to the labor movement there. “The borders of Israel are today the borders of the democratic world, ” he said. He called upon the United States Government to safeguard the security of the young state and thereby ensure the preservation of world peace. “It is our government’s duty to use every effort, both through its own good offices and through those of the United Nations, to prevent the Molotov-Nasser axis from succeeding,” he concluded. (At the time the Bulletin went to press Dr. Abba Hillel Silver and others had not yet delivered their speeches.) Similar meetings were held tonight in 26 cities throughout the United States.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
