More than 2,000 Orthodox Jews rallied in Union Square here yesterday evening to protest what they termed the persecution of religion in Israel and adopted a resolution with the overtones of an ultimatum. The resolution, which set forth grievances against Israel’s policy in a number of religious fields, warned that if Israel did not change its attitude in the matters noted, the organizers of the protest–identified as the “National Committee for Freedom of Religion in Israel” would feel free to take the question to appropriate “international institutions.”
The large audience gathered outside police barriers at the north end of the square while 400 rabbis occupied camp chairs inside the barriers. A succession of speakers condemned the Ben Gurion government for “undermining” Sabbath observance, “ruthlessly desecrating” the graves of the ancient sages in Israel, “estranging” immigrants from Oriental countries from their religious observances by force, and breaking faith with those whom it had promised religious education for their children. The crowd repeatedly jeered the name of Prime Minister David Ben Gurion and cheered references to President Eisenhower.
None of the speakers at the rally represented any of the national rabbinical groups or religious organizations. The speakers included Rabbis Joshua Levy, Bernard Rottenberg, Israel Stein and Hillel, Lichtenstein, all of Brooklyn, Simon Schwab of Baltimore and Aaron Kotler of Lakewood, N. J. Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum, the Satmar Rabbi, was a guest at the meeting, but did not speak.
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