Dr. William A. Wexler, chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, called tonight for a halt in rhetoric on the Middle East, asserting that “the only real guarantee for peace in the Middle East is an Israel that can defend itself.” Speaking to several hundred delegates attending the Annual National Installation Rally of Bnai Zion, the American Fraternal Zionist Organization, at the New York Hilton Hotel, Dr. Wexler, who is also president of the International B’nai B’rith, stated that the time has now come for our government to demonstrate clearly and unequivocally by deeds and not by words that the balance of power in the Middle East will not be allowed to shift in Israel’s disfavor. He emphasized that it is essential that the government of the United States resume delivery of the planes which Israel needs for its very survival.
Dr. Wexler quoted a letter he had received recently from a high official in the State Department stating our government’s “firm resolve that Israel not suffer military disadvantage.” Dr. Wexler continued, “these are words. The world is drowning in words and rhetoric and while it is better to talk than to shoot, the only real guarantee for peace in the Middle East is in an Israel that can defend itself.” Speaking about the Security Council debate on Jerusalem, Dr. Wexler stated: “Let it be resolved that never again will we go back to the 19 years of disaster and shame of desecration and indignity to which we were subjected while King Hussein was the ruler of Jerusalem. This should be a priority item on the agenda of every decent human being who considers himself to be a part of the civilized world.”
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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.
