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Israeli Chief Rabbi Calls on Truman at White House; Conveys Gratitude of Jews

May 11, 1949
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Chief Rabbi Isaac Halevi Herzog of Israel was received by President Truman today at the White House. He told correspondents later that their conversation was along “religio-ethical lines.” The Chief Rabbi was accompanied to the White House by Ambassador Eliahu Elath.

“It was indeed an honor and privilege to meet the President of the United States and to convey to him the warm greetings and profound thanks of the people of Israel for his invaluable assistance and deep sympathy,” Dr. Herzog said. “From the very first hours of the existence of the Jewish state, President Truman’s friendship and vigorous support were of the highest encouragement to us in our struggle for independence.

“I was very happy, also, to thank the President for his intense personal interest in the problems of the Jewish refugees and to advise that, in keeping with the spirit of his repeated appeals for the admission of large numbers of homeless Jews, Israel is now receiving refugees at the rate of approximately 30,000 a month.

“It was gratifying to have the opportunity of conveying our appreciation of the vital “contribution which the Jews of America are making through the U.J.A. towards the reception, care, and absorption of the great number of immigrants now reaching Israel.

“I told the President that the Jews of Israel are most desirous of living in peace with their neighbors and to make their contribution to world peace in keeping with their hallowed traditions of brotherhood and human understanding.”

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