American Jewish Committee Wants Speedy Settlement of Restitution Problems in Germany

The American Jewish Committee today adopted a declaration demanding “a speedy and fair settlement of the problems involved in the restitution of property to the victims of German Nazism.” The declaration also demanded that “the Jews who wish to remain in Germany should be granted full equality of rights and freedoms, and conditions should be such as to permit them to live a free and dignified life there.”

The declaration on Germany was made by the A.J.C. at the closing session of the semi-annual meeting of its executive committee attended by more than 100 Jewish community leaders. “Germany should not only adopt formal provisions for the protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, but international controls shall be established to guarantee the fateful observance of these rights,” the declaration stated.

Jacob Blaustein, president of the American Jewish Committee, addressing the session last night, urged the United States to vigorously exert its influence to bring permanent peace to the Middle East. “The United Nations did a magnificent job in bringing about armistices between Israel and its Arab neighbors, thus ending the then existing hostilities. But what is sorely required for real and enduring stability are peace treaties that will bring to fruition the objective of the United Nations,” he declared.

Discussing recent developments concerning the state of Israel, Mr. Blaustein asserted that it is to the interest of the U.S. Government to extend grants-in-aid to Israel, just as it is doing to other friendly nations. He hailed the signing of the Point Four agreement between the United States and Israel as an important step toward facilitating the economic growth of the new democracy providing it with technical assistance to fully develop its natural resources.