The Israel Consulate here made public today the text of a powerful plea for Israel by Prof Albert Einstein, prepared by him several days before his death for delivery on a nation wide radio and television hook-up on Israel s Independence Day Prof. Einstein took the none’s of his speech with him for study when he was transferred from his home to the Princeton Hospital where he died three days late ‘See page 4 for memorial tribute to Dr. Einstein to be held by leading American Jewish organizations.)
Prof Einstein prepared his notes in consultation with Israel Ambassador Abba Eban who visited him at his home in Princeton two weeks before his final illness With the exception of a single missing page they were expanded into literary form by Israel Consul Reuven Dafni who participated in the conference between Dr. Einstein and Mr. Eban This partial text, as edited by Dr. Einstein and released by the Consulate reads.
“The establishment of the State of Israel was internationally approved and recognized largely for the purpose of rescuing the remnant of the Jewish people from unspeakable horrors of persecution and oppression Another purpose was to provide conditions in which the spiritual and cultural life of a Heb### society could find free expression. Thus the establishment of Israel is an event which actively engages the conscience of this generation.
URGED WORLD NOT TO BE INDIFFERENT TO ISRAEL’S PERIL
“It is therefore, a bitter paradox to find that a state which was destined to be a shelter for a martyred people is itself threatened by grave dangers to its own security. The universal conscience cannot be indifferent to such a peril One of the important moral achievements to emerge from the Second World War should be preserved from this unnatural danger.
“The pressure of Arab hostility and the counter-pressure of Israel’s defence have created a constant tension. It is anomalous that world opinion should not actively seek to bring an end to the Arab hostility which is the root cause of the tension One of the fundamental causes of this crisis is the policy of the Great Powers, which finds expression in one-sided military pacts and arms agreements. The basic premise of this policy is the desire to prepare the Middle East for its role in the event of a world struggle between East and West.
“This, however, is not a correct or enlightened starting point for a regional policy in the Middle East. The destructive capacity of modern weapons makes such a conflict utterly unthinkable It is wrong to embark on a global security policy which creates local imbalances and to do this in the name of a prospect of war which should be ruled out as inconceivable.
“International policies for the Middle East should be dominated by efforts to secure peace in Israel and its neighbors. This would conform with the universal ideals of peace and brotherhood, which have been the most significant contributions of the people of Israel in its long history.”
WAS CRITICAL OF WORLD POWERS BEHAVIOR TOWARD ISRAEL
In a letter to Mr. Dafni amplifying his views, Dr Einstein wrote “I should very much like to assist our Israel cause under the prevailing difficult and dangerous {SPAN}###{/SPAN} stances The question is how this could be done effectively As it seems to me, the public would be very little impressed by a speech about the mere cultural achievements of is {SPAN}###{/SPAN} of which the development of atomic energy for peaceful purposes is only a special and relatively unimportant detail I am saying the {SPAN}###{/SPAN} consideration of the fact that the Israeli-Arab difficulties are so much more in the public consciousness.
“It seems to me, therefore, that an evaluation of the political situation is necessary to make any impression on public opinion 1 even believe that a some what critical attitude concerning the behavior of the world power toward Israel and the Arab states could have a salutary influence. It is easier for me to say those things than for any person connected officially with organized Jewish life to do this well it has to be carefully prepared in cooperation with responsible Israelis Hoping to hear from you without loss of precious time.”
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