The full 108-member Resolutions Committee at the Democratic National Convention here today received a Palestine plank calling for fall recognition of Israel and a revision of the arms embargo to permit the Jews of Israel to defend themselves.
The resolution which points to President Truman’s immediate granting of recognition to Israel, approves the claims of Israel to the boundaries set forth in the U.N. partition resolution of last November and “looks forward” to the admission of Israel into the U.N. Also pledged are “appropriate aid” to Israel to develop its economy and resources and support of the internationalization of Jerusalem.
It appears that the wording, as it now stands, will pass the full committee an go to the convention floor, although there is some feeling here that the White House may make a last minute request for further strengthening of the plank.
Proponents of a strong plank on Israel are generally satisfied with the results of the sub-committee in revising what the State department wanted in the way of a Democratic policy statement on the Middle East crisis. However, some pro-Israel spokesmen here feel that the plank needs more toughening to make it specific enough for implementation purposes.
The only other change effected by supporters of Israel was over the arms embargo plank which now reads as follows: “We favor the revision of the arms embargo to accord to the State of Israel the right of self-defense. We pledge ourselves to work for the modification of any resolution of the United Nations to the extent that it may prevent any such revision.”
The Resolutions Committee of the National Convention was today considering a request from the American Jewish Conference urging that the convention “pledge support for the adoption of an international treaty outlawing the crime of genocide.” Declaring that “the Jewish people, the chief victim of this heinous crime, is firmly convinced that an internationally-recognized convention outlawing genocide is a matter of great urgency,” the Conference message said “we firmly believe that the early conclusion of such a convention will mark a new milestone in man’s struggle for Justice and order in the family of nations.”
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