Members of Congress today paid tribute to Israel in connection with the fourth anniversary of the establishment of the Jewish State. The House of Representatives granted a 30-minute “special order” to permit Congressmen to speak from the floor of the House on Israel’s role in the democratic world.
Rabbi Karl Appelbaum, of Bayside, N.Y., delivered the invocation in the House. He asked blessings for members of the House and told them that “never will the children of Israel forget that our country was the first to recognize Israel’s independence and its right to exist as a free nation.”
Majority leader John W. McCormack and minority leader Joseph W. Martin, Jr., were among those lauding Israel. Rep. McCormack told the House that Israel constitutes “the most important bulwark of the free world” in the Near East. “Today, in the face of Soviet threats, the small but very effective armed forces of the democratic Israelis constitute a real barrier to Communist imperialism,” he said. “Their country is a Near Eastern outpost of Western civilization.” With the cooperation and help it has been receiving from the United States, it will continue to play a leading role in the defense of the beliefs and ideals which both countries hold in common.”
Rep. Victor L. Anfuse, of New York, said Israel “deserves the support of freedom-loving people everywhere” and added that he was proud “that our own United States has been generous in its efforts to aid this young democracy obtain a firm economic footing.” He expressed hope that “this aid will continue until Israel is able to become a self-sufficient and prosperous nation.”
Rep. Eugene J. Keogh, of New York, said that the success of Israel “should serve as an encouraging and morale building factor to all oppressed people all over the world.” Rep. Hugh J. Addonzio, of New Jersey, said: “Israel, by its history and the character of its people, is a natural ally of America and of the Western world, and I have been proud to support legislation extending aid and assistance to the young democracy.” A number of Jewish members of the House, including Abraham J. Multer, and Isidore Dollinger made long addresses.
Sen. Hubert H. Humphrey, of Minnesota, said today that Israel is aiding America to win a “war of ideas” against totalitarianism through the development of free political institutions, the furtherance of Point Four, and the development of a free economy.” He spoke at a ceremony here marking the presentation of a printing. “Jeriche.” by the Israel artist, Jacob Steinhardt, to the District of Columbia for hanging in the District Administration building. I.S. Turover, chairman of a group of sponsors, said the purpose of the presentation was to bring about better international goodwill through the medium of art.
President Truman yesterday sent a message of greeting to President Ghaim Weizmann of Israel in connection with the fourth anniversary of Israel’s independence. President Truman’s cable said: “On this anniversary of the independence of Israel the people of the United States join me in sending to Your Excellency and to the people of Israel felicitations and sincere good wishes.”
(Reports of the celebration of Israel’s fourth Independence Day were received by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency from London, Johannesburg, Sydney and Buenos Aires. In London, Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Anthony Nutting told a dinner observing the anniversary that there is nothing incompatible between Britain’s friendship with Israel and its traditional bonds with the Arab states. In Argentina all Jewish groups and Zionist parties held receptions, dinners and other affairs to mark the anniversary.)
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
