An anti-discrimination clause condemning bias by Arab states against Americans of Jewish faith, similar to a measure in previous bills, has been included in the Foreign Aid Appropriations Bill adopted today by the House.
The anti-bias section stated that “it is the sense of Congress that discrimination against American citizens because of race or religion is repugnant to our principles and in all negotiations between the United States and any foreign state as a result of funds appropriated for foreign aid, these principles shall be applied.”
Commenting on the measure, Rep. Leonard Farbstein, New York Democrat, cited the intensification of the Arab boycott and the enforced removal of Lord Mancroft from the board of a British insurance company because he is Jewish. He told the House about recent reports that Jordan had blacklisted two American concerns for trading with Israel. They are the Adams Carbide Company and the Home Insurance Company. He urged the State Department to take steps to implement the sense of Congress as stated in the foreign aid appropriations bill.
QUESTION OF U.S. AID FOR ARAB REFUGEES RAISED DURING DEBATE ON BILL
A charge that the United States has to help support more Arab refugees now “than we did back when the refugee program first came into being after the formation of the State of Israel” was voiced in the House by Rep. John J. Rhodes, Arizona Republican, in the course of the foreign aid appropriations debate today. Rep Rhodes said that the Arab refugees
“The time has come for the United Nations to start making more sense than it is right now in certain areas of the world, including the Middle East.” He said: “American tax-payers have gone just about as far as they can go in this effort.”
Other Congressmen stressed the importance of continued American support of UN activities in the Middle East including the UN Emergency Force. Reduction of UNEF could endanger peace and trigger Arab-Israel hostilities, Rep. Ogden Reid, New York Republican, stated. Rep. Reid is a former American Ambassador to Israel.
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