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Z.O.A. Requests “speedy” American Guarantees of Israel’s Borders

August 19, 1958
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A resolution urging the United States Government to proclaim “speedily and publicly” explicit guarantees of Israel’s political sovereignty and territorial integrity was adopted here today by the Zionist Organization of America at the conclusion of an extraordinary two-day conference of its leaders who assembled from all parts of the country.

The resolution expressed support of the principles enunciated by President Eisenhower before the General Assembly of the United Nations to prevent direct or indirect aggression in the Middle East and to preserve the independence of free nations. “The forthright action undertaken recently by our Government in support of the friends of the West endangered by Nasserist aggression and subversion merits the fullest approval and encouragement of American public opinion,” the resolution said. “We urge that this policy be resolutely pursued in relation to the free and democratic State of Israel.”

Governor Averell Harriman of New York, addressing the parley, said that the “acceptance of the integrity of Israel by the Arab leaders” is an essential requirement for peace in the Middle East. He also called for “imagination and firm purpose” in bringing about a permanent settlement of Middle East problems.

Declaring that “recent events have intensified Israel security problems,” Gov. Harriman emphasized that “we cannot begin to achieve stability in the Middle East until Israel’s position in that area is fully recognized. There must be no doubt in the mind of Nasser and the rulers of the Kremlin that any attempt to destroy Israel would bring an immediate response from the United States and the free world,” he said.

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