U.S. Teachers Association Bows to Arabs; Bars Jews from Tours

The National Education Association, largest teachers’ organization in the United States, was strongly criticized today for submitting to Arab demands that Jewish members of the Association be barred from joining tours which include visits to Arab countries.

Four round-the-world tours sponsored by the Association now exclude teachers. Non-Jewish teachers applying to join in the tours are required to file affidavits from clergymen attesting that they are not members of the Jewish faith.

Bernard Donovan, chairman of the New York City committee for the National Education Association, expressed indignation today over the fact that the Association is complying with the Arab request and submits to discrimination against Jewish members. He said that the New York delegates will raise this issue at the forthcoming national convention of the NEA in Portland, Oregon.

“It is regrettable that the NEA selected for a sponsored tour any itinerary which requires an American citizen to state his religious faith or be embarrassed by not being permitted to make the tour because of his faith. “Mr. Donovan said.

“The teachers of New York City have always stood for freedom of religion for all persons, and we are opposed to any restrictions upon the exercise of this freedom. We are particularly opposed to American citizens being subjected to any travel restrictions on account of religious discrimination.”