Three members of Congress today criticized the U.S. Government from the floor of the House for accepting the ban imposed by Saudi Arabia on American Jewish servicemen at the Dharhan airbase in Saudi Arabia. The criticism was voiced during the debate of an appropriation bill covering expenditures for the base at Dharhan.
Rep. Sidney R. Yates, Illinois Democrat, declared: “I could not in good conscience permit this bill to leave the House without making by protest against the flagrant discrimination toward military personnel of Jewish faith–American citizens mind you–which exists today in the Middle East.” Rep. Yates reminded the House of the ideals revered on Memorial Day and the sacrifices of U.S. soldiers of all faiths.
He recalled the sinking of the troop transport “Dorchester” in World War II when U.S. chaplains of the Jewish and Christian faiths took off their life preservers and gave them to soldiers who had none.
Responding to Rep. Yates remarks, Rep. John J. Rooney, New York Democrat, described the U.S. agreement with King Saud to bar Jews as “deplorable.” Rep. James Roosevelt, California Democrat, told the House that “it would seem incredible that a country of the standing of the United States ever would have to give in to the conditions such as demanded by Saudi Arabia.”
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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.
