The United States Government is continuing its efforts to assure that Jews will have the right to visit the Wailing Wall and other Holy Places in Jordan-held territory, Assistant Secretary of State Henry A. Byroade today informed Eabbi Eliezer Silver, leader of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the United States and Canada.
Rabbi Silver’ had appealed to President Eisenhower to use his good offices to obtain permission for a Jewish pilgrimage to the Wailing Wall. Informing the Orthodox leader that his appeal had been referred to the State Department for consideration, Mr. Byroade wrote:
“The Department deeply sympathizes with the desire of the American Rabbis, who will attend a World Conclave of Orthodox Jewish Laymen and Rabbis at Jerusalem, to make the traditional pilgrimage to the Wailing Wall, and has carefully inquired into this matter.
“As you know, your Government has consistently supported free access to the Holy Places for peoples of all religious faiths. In view of the present division of Jerusalem and the unfortunate tension between Israel and Jordan, however, it is evident that practical arrangements cannot be worked out for the pilgrimage to the Wailing Wall until such time as there is an improvement in the relations of these two nations.
“I sincerely hope that in due course persons of all religions may be able to gather freely at their places of worship without fear of their safety. I can assure you that your Government continues to support efforts to bring this about.”
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