Dr. Goldmann Foresees Intensive Pressure on Israel by Great Powers

The danger facing Israel today is political, not military, Dr. Nahum Goldmann declared here today. The situation in the Middle East, the Jewish Agency leader asserted, will occupy a place on the agenda of the Great Powers for a long time–until a settlement is effected. During that period, which may last two or three years, Israel will be under pressure to grant concessions, since the Arabs contest the current status. All of this, he added, is related to the forthcoming. World Zionist Congress, which will be an emergency Congress to demonstrate world Jewry’s reaction to the problem.

Dr. Goldmann praised the results of the recent Latin American Jewish conference in Montevideo which, he asserted, surpassed the most optimistic expectations. An excellent spirit prevailed among the thousand delegates, he stated, noting-that only a few hundred had actually been expected to attend. That conference dispelled any doubts there may have been about Latin American Jewry’s full identification with Israel, he said.

Turning to the North African situation, the Jewish Agency leader said he saw no danger for Jews in the independence of Tunisia and Morocco. French guarantees, he declared, should safeguard the rights of the Jews of both countries, which also have Jews in their Cabinets. He also referred to talks between Moslem leaders and the World Jewish Congress when assurances were given regarding the status of Jews. The situation of the Jews of Algeria, however, may be a cause for apprehension, he said. They would be subjected, he felt, to pressure to choose between French and Algerian interests. The redeeming feature of the status of Algerian Jewry was the possibility open to them to emigrate to France in the event of difficulties, he concluded.