Convention of Reform Jews Asks U.S. to Assure Security for Israel

The four-day National Mobilization of American Reform Judaism leaders, attended by 600 lay and rabbinic leaders from all parts of the United States, concluded today with the adoption of a resolution expressing concern over Israel and asking the United States Government to assure security for Israel against Arab hostility "or the scheming malevolence of Russia." The resolution reads.

"Our concern in regard to our brethren in Israel has not grown less, since the resolutions adopted by the Union of American Hebrew Congregations in previous occasions We are deeply disturbed at the intensified armament race in the Middle East, the arming of Syrian and Egypt by the Soviet Union and its satellites, and the policy of our own country of sending arms to other Arab lands, while continuing a long-time embargo on Israel."

"We welcome the assurances made at various times by the President and Secretary of State that Israel will not be permitted to become a sacrifice to the hostility of its neighbors or the scheming malevolence of Russia, but we express the hope that those assurances will be made more explicit and clearer. It is still our opinion that peace will come to the Middle East only under these conditions. We send fraternal greetings to Israel and our endless admiration for its courage, its freedom and its brotherhood in welcoming 100,000 homeless and often hapless Jews this very year."

"The welfare of Israel must not be impeded and hampered by Arab boycott, by blackmail upon American firms threatened by Arab nations, against doing business in Israel. All this is contrary to the armistice agreements, the Charter of the UN, and the peace and security of the whole world. We would like to express the hope that our own government will now take the lead in removing the causes of discord and the threats of war in this troubled part of this world, and moving on a broad basis toward genuine and justice."

The conference also adopted a resolution calling upon all of the agencies of the government–Federal, state, and municipal–North and South, to implement by education and appropriate legislation the fundamental right of all Americans to equality in public and private housing, in opportunities for employment and in the exercise of all other civil rights which are the concomitants of citizenship. "We now call upon the President of the United States promptly to implement the Civil Rights Act of 1957 by appointing the Assistant Attorney General and Commission on Civil Rights called for by that act, the resolution stated."