Palestine’s Importance in Mediterranean War Theatre Will Be Discussed at Conference

The strategic and military importance of Palestine in the Mediterranean campaign and the necessity of mobilizing American Jewry to help the Palestine community carry out its vital war tasks will be fully discussed at the National Council for Palestine at the Biltmore Hotel on Sunday. December 6, it was announced here today by Dr. Abba Hillol Silver, National Chairman of the United Palestine Appeal.

Secretary of Interior Harold L. Ickes will be the guest of honor at a dinner which will conclude the day-long deliberations, Dr. Silver said. Other speakers besides Mr. Ickes and Dr. Silver will include Dr. Chaim Weizmann, President of the Jewish Agency for Palestine and the World Zionist Organization, Pierre von Paassen, Dr. Stephen S. Wise, Judge Morris Rothenberg, Nathan Straus, Martin Agronsky and Sylvan Gotshal.

“The freeing of the Mediterranean from Fascist domination opens new vistas for the development of Palestine and the Middle East and at the same time places new responsibilities on the valiant Jewish community in Palestine in carrying forward the military plans of the United Nations.” Dr. Silver said. “Palestine at the crossroads of the ancient world, now resumes its military role, the most important communications center. It is a pivotal point on the most direct route for aid to the Caucasas and Stalingrad. Haifa becomes the chief transit port for war materials to the Soviet Union via Iraq and Iran, saving the 4,000 mile voyage from Suez to Dandar Shahpur. If the traffic is too great for existing facilities, we can expect the early completion of the long-projected Haifa-Baghdad railroad. With the loyal Jewish population mobilizing all its resources to aid the war effort, Palestine will now be an important base for the coming invasion of Europe.” Dr. Silver pointed out.