Congressmen Urge Amendment of Mutual Security Act to Ban Arab Bias

The House Foreign Affairs Committee was urged today to write an amendment into the United States Mutual Security Act that would bar aid to any nation which discriminates against Americans on the basis of race, religion or color. The intent of the amendment is to thwart Arab discriminations against American Jews. The appeals came from Democratic Congressman James Roosevelt of California and Republican Congressman Seymour Halpern of New York, co-sponsors of the amendment.

They told the Committee that a mandatory stipulation denying aid to countries which practice such discrimination is necessary because “executive action to date has failed.” Both lawmakers testified that, despite several resolutions expressing “the sense of Congress” in opposition to Arab travel bans against American Jews, no effective steps have been taken by any branch of Government to remedy the situation.

Mr. Roosevelt accused the Administration of “submitting” to a policy of Arab discrimination while, at the same time, saying it was opposed in principle to such practices. Mr. Halpern, in his testimony, cited his unsuccessful attempts to get to the Saudi Arabian airfield at Dharan, built by U.S. funds, because of his religion, and despite the fact that the trip was to be for official Government business. The New Yorker reminded the Committee that, as far back as 1885, the United States established the precedent of a firm position against discriminatory practices by foreign powers against American citizens, when it refused to accept the protests of Austria-Hungary regarding our Ambassador-designate on the grounds that his wife was Jewish.

In the questioning which followed the formal presentation of their prepared statements, numerous committee members indicated strong support for the Roosevelt-Halpern amendment, although some questions were raised as to the effect such an amendment might have on U.S. relations with Arab states. But both Roosevelt and Halpern, plus several committee members, agreed that, while U.S. interests must be protected in the strategic Middle East, the Government has to take a position on the basis of the principle of equality for all its citizens.

At the same time, the recently passed Massachusetts State Legislature resolution urging action to bar aid to countries which discriminate against American citizens was lauded in the House by Representatives today. Republican Congressman Laurence Curtis, of Massachusetts, told the House that the resolution adopted by the Legislature in his home state “should be commended and will receive my vigorous support.”

Curtis, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said testimony before the committee has provided “ample evidence of discrimination in Arab countries against certain American citizens.” He said he favored mandatory legislation to bar U.S. aid to countries practicing such discrimination.