The new Soviet anti-Jewish policy has intensified the hostility of the Arab states to Israel, the American Zionist Council, which represents all groups in the Zionist movement in the United States, reported today in an analysis of public opinion on the Prague trial where the Communist campaign against Israel opened.
Analyzing the implications of the trial and its aftermath, the Council warned that “there is every indication that the Arab states may be emboldened by the new Communist propaganda line to become even more intransigent” and that “anti-Israel forces everywhere will be given new impetus in their campaign to liquidate Israel by political means.”
The Council emphasized that much will depend on the attitude of the United States. “A new outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East, or even the continuation of the existing tension, can only serve Moscow,” the Council said. “The intentions of the Kremlin can be frustrated if we maintain the Integrity of American policy. That policy must continue to be the rejection of blackmail, the repudiation of appeasement and the strengthening of all democratic forces committed to the defense of freedom.”
The Council called for a positive program in the Near East to resist the Communist threat. “On the one hand, we must continue to strengthen Israel, a major victim of Communist animus in that area. On the other hand, we must counter Communist courtship of the Arabs by a program which strengthens democratic institutions in the Arab countries and gives the Arab peoples a stake in freedom,” the document stated.
The Council emphasized the importance of an early negotiated peace settlement between Israel and the Arab states, so that all the peoples of the area may join in the economic cooperation and development and regional defense. The longer peace is deferred in the Near East, the greater the danger of Communist penetration, the Council declared.
Expressing grave concern for the 2,500,000 Jews behind the Iron Curtain, the Council pointed out that the odds against their winning their way to Israel are great. If any do succeed, Israel, already heavily burdened by the more than 700,000 who arrived during the first four years of its existence, must be ready to meet the challenge of the new wave of refugees,” the Council stated. “In spite of the bitterness of Israel’s struggle for self-sufficiency, it could not deny admission to any refugees without undermining its moral foundations.”
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
