Eisenhower Urged to Act on Arab Campaign Against American Jews

The American Jewish Congress today called upon President Eisenhower to order immediate “corrective action” in the current campaign being waged by the Arab governments against American citizens of Jewish faith.

Dr. Israel Goldstein, president of the American Jewish Congress, in a letter to President Eisenhower, emphasized the concern of all American citizens in “the acquiescence of the Government of the United States in the various forms of discrimination against a group of American citizens by diverse Arab states.” Dr. Goldstein asserted that the Arab countries “have been permitted to stigmatize an entire group of American citizens solely because they are Jews,” and cited the following discriminations:

“They have engaged in economic boycott against American Jews and such boycott has in part been financed by American commercial agreements by subventions made available through the International Wheat Agreement; They have denied Jews the right to obtain visas to travel in their countries; Their consular officials in this country are permitted to inquire as to the religious identification of American citizens applying for visas or validation of consular invoices; Our agreement with Saudi Arabia concerning the Dharan Air Base, now under review, permits that country to determine that Jews may not serve in the military forces of our country stationed at that base.”

Dr. Goldstein’s letter noted previous instances in American history when the United States made it clear that it would not “barter principle for profit or advantage.” The communication pointed out that a detailed account of the Arab campaign was contained in the American Jewish Congress’ document issued last month, entitled “The Arab Campaign Against American Jews.” A copy was sent to the President last April 15 and another copy to the Secretary of State. The only acknowledgment received, the letter stated, was a note from a State Department official that the document was being studied.