Record Breaking Crowds Jam Streets, Block Traffic at New York Zionist Raily

Record-breaking crowds jammed Manhattan Center and blocked traffic in the streets outside tonight as thousands of persons attempted to after the thanksgiving-victory rally called by the Zionist Organization of America.

Principal speakers at the gathering were Dr. Abba Hillel Silver, Dr. Emanuel Lehmann, ZOA president, and Mayor William O’Dwyer of New York City. The addresseswas carried over loudspeakers to the cheering crowds outside the auditorium. The hall itself was bedecked with Zionist banners and huge portraits of Theodor Herzl, Dr.Chaim Weizmann, Dr. Silver and Dr. Neumann.

All speakers paid tribute to the role played by President Truman and the U.S. delegation at the General Assembly in securing the adoption of partition. "If we ## have this decision of the U.N., it is due in very large measure, perhaps in the largest measure, to the sustained interest and unflagging efforts of President Harry S. Truman," Dr. Neumann said.

Drs. Neumann and Silver offered peace and friendship to the Arab people. Dr. Silver also stressed that the Jewish state is ready and eager to cooperate to the fullest extent with the Arabs. He emphasizod, however, that the citizenry of the Jewish state was capable of defending its statehood, and that "American public opinion will ##in constantly on the alert to safeguard it." He hailed the role played by American Zionists in giving all-out support to the struggle of Jewish leaders for "justice for our people at the U.N."

Mayor O’Dwyer, who earlier had proclaimed today "Palestine Day," told the audience that he eincerely hoped "that it will be our City’s pleasure to welcome the delegate for the Jewish state to the United Nations at the earliest possible moment." The Mayor added that "it is perhaps not by historical accident that this great event. has taken place in New York; many of you may know that other nations have seen the birth – or the rebirth – of their existence in our city." He pointed out that Thomas A Masaryk laid the foundations in this city and set up the framework for what became the State of Czechoslovakia. Later, he added, the patriots of Ireland took similar steps resulting in the creation of an independent Eire. "Today," he said, "the Jewish Stete comes into existence as a result of this action in New York, truly our city may be called a Mother of Nations!"

BIRO-BIDJAN COMMITTEE CABLES CONGRATULATIONS TO THE JEWISH AGENCY

Prof. Albert Einstein, on behalf of the American Biro-Bidjan Committee of which he is honorary president, today cabled congratulations to the Jewish Agency "on the occasion of the decision of the United Nations to establish an independent Jewish State in Palestine."

"We rejoice with you and with all world Jewry in the fact that as a result of the United leadership of the United States and the Soviet Union, the ages-old dream of the Jewish people is about to be realized," the message said. "We fervently hope that the continued cooperation of the United States and the Soviet Union will bring about the prompt implementation of this decision of the United Nations. The cooperation of all Jewish communities throughout the world with the Jewish State of Palestine and the Jewish Autonomous Region of Birobidjan will make an invaluable contribution to Jewish rehabilitation and to the preservation and development of Jewish culture everywhere. We wish for the Jewish State of Palestine enduring peace, prosperity and serenity.

The American Friends of Fighters for the Freedom of Israel released a statement by George Solo, described as a Sternist deputy commander now in this country,

WEIL HOPES JEWS OUTSIDE PALESTINE WILL MAINTAIN HIGH INTEREST IN JEWISH STATE

"Out of the troubled and difficult deliberations of the United Nations General Assembly at Lake Success has come an epochal and inspiring decision." Weil said in a statement to the press. The action of the United Nations in approving partition of Palestine is a historic "decision which was eagerly awaited." He expressed confidence that the "Jews now resident in and devoted citizens of other lands will maintain their ##gh interest in the development of Eretz Israel."

In a simple ceremony on Bedloes Island in New York harbor, earth taken from Palestine in 1917, following the issuance of the Balfour Declaration, was yesterday deposited in the soil surrounding the Statue of Liberty in commemoration of the United stations decision to establish a Jewish state. At the same time a spadeful of earth them the island, scene of America’s shrine to Liberty, was taken to be deposited on the site of the new Jewish capital.

Abba Hushi, head of a Histadruth delegation now in this country, sifted the Palestinian soil into the American earth in the presence of some 150 persons. Deputy miyor John J. Bennett dug up the American soil which will be brought to Palestine. meeting the new Jewish states, Bennett said: "This nation and most of the world rejoice that in our great country and in this city there was born a new nation."