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U.S. Urged to Cancel Scholarships of Arab Students in American Schools

June 16, 1961
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Rabbi Bernard Bergman, president of the Religious Zionists of America, urged tonight that the United States Department of State “should cancel the scholarships and academic privileges of Arab students in the United States. “

Speaking at the 40th religious-labor anniversary banquet of the organization, Rabbi Bergman said such action should be taken because the Arab students “have been abusing the hospitality of this country, in a variety of illegal and wanton acts. These students recently picketed the conference of President Kennedy and Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion to the everlasting humiliation and disgrace of our Government. “

Rabbi Bergman told the dinner guests that the American taxpayer “should not be compelled to defray the heavy costs of supporting these Arab students in our halls of higher learning. A guest in a foreign land is not privileged to besmirch the reputation, dignity and standing of a host country, as is clearly indicated by the American Logan Act. “

He also urged that Britain, France and the United States “issue a positive declaration to Arab and Communist nations, reaffirming the territorial integrity of Israel” and he condemned the Soviet Union for “creating serious problems in the Middle East by continuing to supply weapons to the Arab countries. “

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