Erich Lueth, founder and head of the German “Peace With Israel” movement, was today ousted from his position as press chief of Hamburg. His identification with the Social Democrats was given as the reason for his removal by the new Hamburg administration which is made up of centrist and right parties of the Adenauer coalition.
In 1951, Lueth issued his impassioned appeal, “We Ask Israel for Peace!” Shortly thereafter, he launched the German “Olive Tree Offering” on behalf of Israel. The honesty and fervor of his pleas led to the foundation of the “Peace With Israel” movement. It created the atmosphere in which the negotiations between Israel and Germany at The Hague could be initiated, and which made possible the conclusion of the reparations agreement. Last year, Lueth visited Israel and, upon his return, published enthusiastic accounts of his impressions.
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