Mizrachi Convention Asks U.S. to Press Arabs on Peace Talks

The 31st annual convention of the Mizrachi Organization of America concluded here today with the adoption of resolutions urging continued American interest in Israel’s welfare and thanking the U. S. Government for its economic aid to the Jewish state.

The more than 1, 000 delegates to the religious Zionists’ parley asked the U. S. Government, in the best interests of American security, to persuade the Arab states to meet with Israel in direct negotiations as the “most certain step” toward establishing an enduring peace in the Middle East. The convention thanked the President; Congress and Senate for including Israel grants in the mutual security program, and charged the Arab states with menacing the security of the Middle East by refusing to make peace with the Jewish state.

The American Government was also asked to take the necessary steps to restore to the victims of Hitler Germany their looted property and to make certain that reparations payments are made to Israel. Local Jewish communities in this country were urged to set aside for the United Jewish Appeal a minimum of 75 percent of all funds collected and to make the sharpest possible cuts in local expenditures. Expressing satisfaction over the inclusion of the Mizrachi and other religious parties in the Government of Israel, the convention said that it hoped that religious issues in the government would be settled in such a manner as to permit the expansion of the Mizrachi school system, increasing the authority of the rabbinic courts and the strengthening of religious influence in the public life of Israel. It also appealed to the Jewish Agency to prevent discrimination against religious newcomers in the camps and settlements of Israel.

The incoming administration of the organization was instructed in another resolution to explore the possibility of calling a world Jewish religious conference in Israel. In addition, the delegates, in a proclamation, called on the members of the movement to devote the jubilee year of the world Mizrachi movement to strengthening the Mizrachi ideal, to the spiritual rejuvenation of Jewish life in Israel and to strengthening all the endeavors of the Israeli people. Dr. Pinkhos Churgin was re-elected to his third consecutive term as president of the organization. Earlier, the delegates had approved a budget of $2, 600, 000 for 1952 — a record for the organization. The budget includes $1, 000, 000 for the projected Bar-Ilan religious university in Israel and $1, 000, 000 for housing, children’s homes, school equipment and other assistance to religious settlements in the Jewish state.