The World Jewish Congress today urged United Nations Secretary-General U Thant to reconsider his position that it is not possible to send an emissary to investigate the conditions of Jews in the Arab countries. Mr. Thant contended last week that Security Council and General Assembly resolutions calling for an humanitarian inquiry into the condition of refugees in the aftermath of the June, 1967 Six-Day War applied only to Arabs in the territories occupied by Israel. He accused Israel of blocking the investigation by insisting that the UN also examine the situation of Jews in the Arab states.
Dr. Maurice L. Perlzweig, director of the WJCongress international affairs department, said the organization was deeply distressed by Mr. Thant’s statement. He noted that scores of innocent and defenseless people were imprisoned in the Arab countries, often under barbarous conditions, or were deprived of their means of livelihood only because they were Jews. But, he said, the Arab states have refused to permit representatives of the Red Cross or the UN to investigate their condition. The WJCongress asked Mr. Thant to seek facilities for the emigration of those Jews who want to leave the Arab countries.
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