B’nai Zion Convention Criticizes State Department’s Policy on Israel

A resolution severely criticizing the State Department for its recent role in putting through a United Nations Security Council resolution censuring Israel–and calling for U.S. leadership toward the launching of direct peace talks between Israel and the Arab states–was adopted here today at the closing session of the 53rd annual convention of B’nai Zion, American Jewish fraternal organization.

The resolution was adopted after an address this morning by U.S. Senator Jacob K. Javits, New York Republican, who spelled out a three-point program which he advocated as American policy vis-a-vis the Middle East. The basis for the U.S. policy, he said, should include the following points:

“I. An end to boycotts, discrimination and other obstacles to the free flow of trade, regional development and an association of Israel as well as other Middle East nations with the European Economic Community.

“2. Resettlement of the main body of Arab refugees in Arab lands, where there is need and room for them; and

“3. Within the framework of direct peace talks, compensation on reasonable terms for Arab property abandoned in Israel.”

“These,” he said, “should be the objectives of United States policy, clearly enunciated and implemented with skill and initiative, as President Kennedy promised when he was a candidate.”

At an earlier session of the convention, Representative Abraham J. Multer, a Democrat, of Brooklyn, accused the Kennedy Administration of employing a “double standard of morality” by failing to “fight on the side of Israel” and by failing to carry out Mr. Kennedy’s “promises to bring about peace in the Middle East.”

Norman G. Levine, national president of B’nai Zion, announced that the organization is planning to construct a $2,000,000, low-cost housing project for senior citizens in New York. The convention endorsed the housing plan and also voted a resolution supporting medical care for the aged through the Social Security program.

At a session devoted to the organization’s cooperation with the Jewish National Fund, Dr. Joseph H. Sternstein, executive director of the JNF of America, reported on the Fund’s plans for vast development projects in Israel to cost about $250,000,000 over a period of 20 years. Herman Z. Quittman, national secretary of B’nai Zion, reported that the organization now conducts in Israel 39 welfare, recreational and medical projects, 30 of which had been established in cooperation with the JNF.

Other principal speakers at the convention sessions included Rabbi Charles Schulman, Israel Consul David Rivlin, and Rabbi William Berkowitz, all of New York, Norman G. Levine, of New York City, was unanimously re-elected national president of the B’nai Zion.