Rihani Admits Error in Saying Arabs Are Barred from Hebrew University

An apology from Ameen Rihani, prominent Syrian-American author and lecturer and leader of Arab nationalism in this country, in which Mr. Rihani admits that he was in error in stating at a recent lecture that the Hebrew University at Jerusalem does not permit Arabs to enroll, was received this week by Solomon Lowenstein, chairman of the office committee of the American Advisory Committee of the Hebrew University, after Mr. Lowenstein, in a letter to Mr. Rihani, called his attention to this error.

“During 1928-29, an Arab post-graduate worked in the Department of General Chemistry,” wrote Mr. Lowenstein to Mr. Rihani, quoting from a letter he had received recently from the Assistant Registrar of the University. “In the Bio-Chemistry Department arrangement was made for three Arab students from the American University at Beirut, one of them a Palestine government scholar. These were pharmacists who were not registered as students, but made use of the facilities of our laboratories and library. During the summer, Dr. Weizmann examined an Arab candidate for the English matriculation examinations in chemistry at the request of the government. Registration in all the departments of the University is open to men and women without distinction as to race, religion or nationality.”

In his answer to Mr. Lowenstein, Mr. Rihani says:

“Yes, it was a misunderstanding on my part regarding the enrollment of Arabic students at the Hebrew University, and I was glad to receive your letter containing the correct information.”