Hadassah Seeks Action on Arab Boycott of U.S. Firms Employing Jews

Establishment of a bi-partisan commission to study the effect of Arab States boycott against American firms dealing with Israel and against firms having Jewish directors or Jewish employees was requested today at the opening session of a four-day Ha lassah national conference attended by delegates from 48 states representing 300,000 members.

Mrs. Rebecca Shulman, president of the organization, voiced this request in her presidential address. She charged that Saudi Arabia was "especially flagrant in prosecuting an Arab League campaign against American firms that practice the American doctrine of equality in selecting personnel." She said that shipping companies and exporters having business relationships with Israel were the principal targets of the Arab boycott.

(The boycott first invoked by Saudi Arabia against Jewish-owned export firms in the United States has now spread to Iraq, the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith said this week-end. In a letter to the State Department, Henry Edward Schultz, ADL’s national chairman, reported a complaint received by the League from a New York manufacturer-exporter who was advised by a prospective customer in Baghdad that no business could be transacted if the New York firm is "Jewish.")

At the same time Mrs. Shulman rejected "as contrary to the best American tradition of full and open debate of all major issues" the suggestion that the major political parties enter into a "gentleman’s agreement" to exclude the Mid-East crisis from public debate in the forthcoming national election campaign. She declared that the 300,000 women of Hadassah are keenly interested in all important domestic and foreign issues and will demand of candidates for elected office a full explanation of their views, whether it be on economic prosperity or civil rights at home, or foreign aid, unification of Germany or the Middle East problem.

EBAN SEES DANGER IN "HEADLONG DECLINE" IN BALANCE OF ARMS.

Israel Ambassador Eban, addressing the delegates, paid tribute to Hadassah for its promotion of health programs in Israel and pointed out: "While you help us cultivate our garden and build sanctuaries of learning and health, deep apprehensions crowd in upon us. Indeed the threat to peace and security in the Middle East now stands in the forefront of international concern. It is natural and proper for responsible governments to devote their earnest study to this crucial subject. It is evident, however, that a solution has not yet come into view.

Mrs. Rose Halprin, Zionist affairs chairman of Haddasah, who just returned from Israeli, reported that "the people of Israel are alerted to possible danger but are calm. There is of course, deep anxiety and preparation for emergency." While awaiting with deep concern" the response of the United States its request for defensive arms to meet a possible attack from Communist-armed Egypt, Israel is continuing without interruption its "day-by-day normal activities and long-range construction programs," Mrs. Halprin told the session. She warned that the longer the United States delays in meeting Israel, to request for defensive arms the more serious the situation will become.