The Union of American Hebrew Congregations today made public the text of a resolution adopted by its administrative committee asking for the establishment of free ports in the united states as temporary haven of refuge for Jews who can still be saved from Nazi lands.
“We commend the president of the united states for his leadership and vision manifested in championing the cause of the afflicted, not only by words but by forthright deeds,” the resolution says. “Especially timely has been his recent creation of the War Refugee Board, which has already evidenced its sincere determination to rescue as many as possible of those victims of Nazism otherwise marked out for wholesale slaughter in the extermination chambers of Europe. We heartily endorse the plan of “free ports” advocated by the War Refugee Board, whereby temporary haven may be provided for those who would otherwise be murdered to the last man.
“We agree that America can do no less for these, our allies and fellow-foes of Nazism than we do for our enemies who, as prisoners of war, are provided with at least such temporary sojourn and security. We appeal to the conscience of America to respond immediately to this suggestion of the War Refugee Board, and we call upon all of our congregations and their members, as well as upon all our fellow citizens, to save the lives of thousands and even hundreds of thousands, otherwise destined for mass extermination by setting up at once such free ports, such islands of temporary rescue, upon the free and cherished soil of America.”
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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.
