The Duke of Edinburgh warned here last night that, if anti-Semitism should gain the upper hand in Britain, “the jungle would be upon us.” He made the statement in an address before 1,300 Jewish leaders celebrating the bicentenary of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, which was founded in 1760.
The British people in general, said the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, “have adopted a democratic attitude toward the Jewish minority in their midst, but prejudice does sometimes break through.”
Calling for deepening of the “democratic attitude,” Prince Philip recalled “the terrible persecutions suffered by the Jewish people under the Nazis, ” and asserted: “It is terribly easy to get the worst out of people. But constant work is needed to bring out the best.”
The Duke recalled the Jewish community’s services to Britain, particularly in the fields of science, art, education and entertainment, and pointed out that “thousands of Jewish soldiers gave their lives toward the defense of Great Britain.” He paid high tribute to the work of the Board of Deputies.
Among messages to the bicentennial dinner were special greetings from Queen Elizabeth, from Sir Winston Churchill and Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. Representatives of all British political parties were at the event, as well as many of the country’s most eminent scientists, writers and artists.
PRIME MINISTER MACMILLAN SAYS ENGLAND IS PROUD OF ITS JEWS
Gratitude for Britain’s welcome of the Jewish people was expressed by Barnett Janner, president of the Board, and by Chief Rabbi Israel Brodie. Mr, Janner thanked Britain for the “important part it played in the establishment of Israel, ” and for the Balfour Declaration.
Looking toward the Board’s plans for the near future, Mr. Janner stressed particularly the need for intensification of activities in the field of foreign affairs, and called for the promotion of “measures to ensure protection of human rights.”
The greetings from Prime Minister Macmillan were read by Charles Hill, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who told the celebrants: “Englishmen could be and are proud of the fact that, in no country in the world outside Israel are the contributions of the Jewish citizens greater, or more deeply appreciated by the overwhelming mass of the people, than in this country.”
Hugh Gaitskell, leader of the Labor Party, paid high tribute to the State of Israel, expressing the hope that “one day, through peace in the Middle East, that State will bring enormous benefits to all countries in the area. ” Recalling his meeting here two weeks ago with Israel’s Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, Mr. Gaitskell called the Israeli statesman “a man of extraordinary vision who continues to understand all values in life.”
The thanks of the Israel Government for British Jewry’s aid, and Israel’s gratitude for the part played in that work by the Board of Deputies, were voiced at the dinner by Arthur Lourie, Israel’s Ambassador here. Mr. Louric lauded the Board not only for the part it played in helping re-establish the State of Israel but also for its “effective work in defending the rights of Jews everywhere.”
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
