The International Council of B’nai B’rith, in resolutions adopted today, urged the free nations of the world to make arms, particularly aircraft, available to Israel as a deterrent to further outbreaks of hostilities in the Middle East. Representatives of B’nai B’rith constituencies in 48 countries warned that the failure of the Western nations to offset the rearming of the “still intransigent Arabs,” could only give encouragement to Arab leaders seeking a fourth round against Israel.
The Council also called on the B’nai B’rith units to appeal to their governments to support the principle of direct negotiations between Israel and the Arab states, and urged the B’nai B’rith membership to encourage emigration to Israel, along with “integrated investment programs in Israel providing both capital and technicians.” Council members were not overly optimistic that the Western countries would produce the 100,000 immigrants annually Israeli leaders seek from them, but foresaw a “marked increase” over the rate of past years.
Rabbi Jay Kaufman, executive vice-president of B’nai B’rith, recommended a change in emphasis from past efforts of seeking resettlement of adults and their families to the creation of “special conditions “which would persuade Jewish youth in Western countries to spend a year or longer in Israel, either as students or working visitors. Given an intimate experience of Israeli life and an economy there that can absorb them, Rabbi Kaufman declared, a “worthwhile proportion” would resettle in Israel permanently. The larger number returning to their original homes, he said, “will be a strengthening influence on Jewish life” there.
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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.
