Avraham Harman, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, and the State of Israel were honored here at a series of events crowded into one day and evening, when the University of Detroit, the largest Catholic institution of its kind in the country, paid homage to Israel.
Father Laurence V. Britt, president of the university, said the events were “eminently fitting” at this time, when Detroit is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the settling here of the first Jewish family in Michigan, as well as the hundredth anniversary of the formation of the first Jewish contingent from this area to fight on behalf of the Union during the Civil War.
In the day’s principal address, delivered by Ambassador Harman, the Israeli envoy told the large audience of Israel’s devotion to the principle of “fundamental equality” among all peoples in the Jewish State, including not only Jews but also Moslems, Christians, Druzes and members of other religious communities.
Mr. Harman emphasized the need for peace in the Middle East, telling the assemblage: “My country is not an anti-Arab country. We do not believe there is incompatibility between Arabs and Israelis. We do not believe the world must choose between Israel and the Arabs. We believe the world must accept both.” Among the prominent personalities who greeted the Israeli Ambassador was Mayor Jerome P. Cavanaugh. Radio Station WJKB here rebroadcast Ambassador Harman’s principal address.
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