A resolution condemning Arab terrorism and demanding effective international measures to combat it was adopted by the 17th biennial conference of the British Section of the World Jewish Congress here last night, But conference officials took issue with the remarks of the delegate who introduced the resolution.
The delegate, Malvyn Benjamin, warned that the failure of various authorities to protect the intended victims of terrorism might cause Jewish organizations and individuals to react in their own way. He claimed it was the natural reaction of people who find themselves unprotected to hit back in any way they can, whether the advocates of legitimacy liked it or not.
Jack Barnett, general secretary of the WJC, said afterwards that Benjamin’s statement “did not reflect in any way the views of the World Jewish Congress or the conference.” He said that Benjamin “spoke for a minority organization. No major Jewish organization would countenance the suggestion that Jewish organizations should take the law into their own hands,” he added.
AID URGED FOR CZECHOSLOVAK JEWS
Another resolution adopted by the conference warned British Jewry against proposals to hold commemoration gatherings for the 30th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising in Warsaw. The resolution claimed that Polish authorities were distorting the historical facts in connection with the Warsaw Ghetto uprising and the fate of Polish Jewry in general. It warned that pilgrimages to Warsaw would serve to help the Polish authorities’ campaign.
A resolution calling for an intensified campaign to aid the emigration of Jews from Czechoslovakia was adopted. The conference was informed that Dr. Benjamin Eichler, chairman of the Council of Jewish Religious Communities in Slovakia, and his wife left the country to join their sons in Canada.
A resolution on peace in the Middle East which was adopted, states that “Resolution 242 of the Security Council cannot and should not be a precondition for peace talks between Israel and its Arab neighbors.” The Marchioness of Reading was re-elected president of the British Section of the WJC.
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