Hadassah Urges Congress to ‘examine’ Unconditional U.S. Aid to Nasser

A resolution asking the Congress “to examine the theory of unconditional aid” when it reviews the United States foreign aid program was adopted here today at the closing session of the four-day conference of Hadassah attended by 200 delegates from all parts of the country.

The resolution expressed Hadassah’s concern over the continuing “militant posture” of President Nasser of Egypt. It cited Nasser’s constant threats to destroy Israel; his defiance of the Government of the United States in continuing to maintain a military force of about 15,000 men in Yemen; and the apprehension expressed in Congress that United States massive aid to Nasser is making it easy for him to acquire arms from the Soviet Union.

The conference endorsed the view taken by Senator Jacob K. Javits (R. N. Y.) in a recent statement, asserting that “by shoring up Nasser’s economy with large grants of assistance while he continues to barter his country’s agricultural products for Soviet arms, we are in fact contributing to the defeat of our own objectives.”

In its resolution, Hadassah reiterated its long-held position “that it is a disservice to the objectives of the American Government and people for the United States to continue giving aid to any nation without making it a prior condition that such aid will not be used to intensify local conflicts in any area of the world, and, further, will not be used to purchase arms for such purposes.”

Hadassah also went on record as supporting the foreign aid objectives of President Kennedy’s Administration “to help nations willing to help themselves build new bulwarks of freedom.” The resolution stated: “We especially welcome the President’s suggestion that in extending such aid ‘it be used to best advantage and that recipients of this aid not be diverted by needless quarrels with other independent nations.”