The 62nd annual convention of the Zionist Organization of America closed today with adoption of a resolution calling on Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to “assure to the Jews of the Soviet Union equal treatment accorded to other nationalities.” Mr. Khrushchev was asked to permit “those who want to join their families and fellow Jews in Israel to do so.”
Other resolutions adopted saluted President Eisenhower for his efforts “to find a road to peace with justice”; urged the U.S. Government “to continue the grant-in-aid program and other economic assistance to Israel” and to “use its influence with the World Bank to obtain iron-clad guarantees for free Suez Canal transit for the shipping of all nations, including Israel, before granting any financial aid to improve the canal.”
The Government was asked to help end the “illegal boycotts and blockade that are carried on by the Arab states against Israel and firms and individuals friendly to her.”
The ZOA went on record “to make the encouragement and promotion of the investment of private capital in Israel “a prime function; to strengthen synagogue life in America “as a bastion of our faith”, and to promote the Hebrew language and culture in American homes.
The ZOA resolved “to expand and develop its relations with the World Zionist Organization, the World Confederation of General Zionists and General Zionist organizations throughout the world.”
Abraham A. Redelheim, of New York, was re-elected president of the organization for a second term. Dr. Emanuel Neumann, of New York, and Dr. Abba Hillel Silver, of Cleveland, were elected honorary presidents. Dr. Max Nussbaum, of Hollywood, Cal. was re-elected chairman of the National Executive Council, and Max Bressler, of Chicago, associate chairman. Abraham A. Goodman, of New York, was elected chairman of the Administrative Committee. The convention adopted a budget of $1,225,000 for annual operations in this country and in Israel.
PRESIDENT EISENHOWER STRESSES NEED FOR GOODWILL
President Eisenhower invoked the memory of Theodor Herzl, founder of modern Zionism, in expressing hope for “a just and productive peace in the Middle East” in a message to the convention. He said that “as Americans we can make our greatest contribution toward attainment of this goal by encouraging an atmosphere of mutual understanding and goodwill among the people of that area. Only in such a climate can mankind’s dream for progress and security be realized.”
Vice-President Nixon said in another message to the convention that the natural friendship which the American people hold for the people of Israel forms a secure foundation for the warm relations between the two countries.
Sen, Hugh Scott, Pennsylvania Republican, who addressed the convention, urged the Arab world to make “three substantial contributions to world peace” on the eve of the Khrushchev-Eisenhower meeting. He asked resettlement of Arab refugees in Arab states; unrestricted use of the Suez Canal, and an end to Arab blacklisting of American firms because of the religion of their officers.
Dr. Emanuel Neumann, a member of the Jewish Agency executive, rejected “the anti-Zionist notion” that “American Zionists must sever ties with fellow Zionists in Israel because they are Israelis.” He proclaimed “our firm resolve to maintain and foster the integral unity of the world-wide Jewish people, based upon our millennial history, our common faith, our spiritual and cultural legacies.”
A basic change in Israeli economic policy, to encourage private Jewish investment, was urged by Leon Dultzin of Israel, director of the economic department of the World Zionist Organization and member of the Jewish Agency executive.
Dr. Joseph J. Schwartz, vice-president of State of Israel bonds, told the ZOA that bonds helped Israel “emerge from the depths of austerity to the threshold of prosperity as the country that has gone from shortages to surpluses.”
Rabbi Herbert A. Friedman, executive vice-chairman of the United Jewish Appeal, described the extent of human needs that must be met in Israel – while absorption continues to be an “overwhelming” problem but “one that can be met.” He said that in Israel there were some 400,000 recent immigrants still not fully absorbed. The major part of the UJA effort was directed at helping them become self-sufficient. He reported that “another 30,000 entered Israel recently. They are starting the absorption process from scratch. Some 85,000 still live in Israel’s ma’abarot immigrant shanties.”
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