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Goldman Terms Psychology is Necessary to Solve Problems of Immigration and Peace

March 26, 1969
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Dr. Nahum Goldmann, former president of the World Zionist Organization, said here that the solutions of the two main problems confronting Israel–increased immigration and peace with the Arabs–lay in the realm of psychology rather than in propaganda, peace treaties or imposed settlements. Dr. Goldmann delivered the closing address at the 68th annual conference of the Zionist Federation of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Other speakers included Mrs. Rose L. Halprin, a member of the Jewish Agency Executive, and Ambassador Aharon Remez of Israel.

Dr. Goldmann said the responsibility for bringing large numbers of Jews to Israel will continue to rest on the Jewish communities of the free world. “It is a much more difficult task than most of us realize,” he said. “It will require a prolonged education designed to alter the mental and emotional processes of Diaspora Jews. This is far beyond propaganda appeals or organizational schemes.”

Regarding peace prospects with the Arabs, Dr. Goldmann said, “If the Arab world is not ready to accept the State of Israel psychologically as an equal neighbor, the best agreement will not be decisive. History is full of examples of solemn treaties scrapped at will because the problem is primarily a psychological one and cannot be decided either by military victories or by imposed solutions of Big Powers. It requires a change of heart and mind on the part of the Arabs.”

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