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American Zionists Pledge Support to Israel in Fight Against Internationalized Jerusalem

December 12, 1949
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The executive of the Zionist Organization of America today pledged to the Israel Government and people “the full and unremitting support of the entire membership of the Zionist Organization of America” in all efforts to save Jerusalem from a “foreign yoke.” The pledge was made in a cable to Premier Ben Gurion, after Daniel Frisch, Z.O.A. president, voiced appreciation for the U.S. stand at the U.N. against the internationalization of Jerusalem.

Addressing a special meeting of the National Executive Committee of the organization held here today, the Z.O.A. president confidently predicted that “the U.N. will reconsider and rescind its resolution to sever the ancient Jewish capital from the living body of Israel,” and that “Jerusalem will remain Jewish.” Scoring the U.N. resolution to internationalize Jerusalem as unworkable, Mr. Frisch declared that “it cannot be implemented,” maintaining that “force would be required to wrest Jerusalem from the hands of those who dwell therein, and such force is neither available now nor foreseeable in the near future.”

The Z.O.A. head in paying tribute to the role of the U.S., declared that “again as often before hope centers on America. We look to our government now to lead the movement for the reopening and reconsideration of the Jerusalem issue when it comes up before the Trusteeship Council for discussion and action.” Turning to American Zionists, the speaker urged them to bring their influence to bear upon American public opinion and government.

Mr. Frisch also attacked Dr. Theodor Heuss, President of the West German Republic, for rejecting the principle of Germany’s “collective guilt” for the crimes committed against the Jews by the Nazis. He also charged that everything the Germans have done since the war “tends to confirm the belief” that they “have remained unregenerate and are as allergic to democracy and to freedom today” as they have been in the past. He added that the Jews will reject President Heuss’ invitation that they return to set up a new life in Germany.

The meeting, which was attended by members from all parts of the country, endorsed the launching of a campaign for the sale of 1,000,000 shekels within the next two months to members in the Z.O.A. and to non-members who wish to register their active identification with the Zionist program. The meeting also heard reports on the progress of the major activities of the Z.O.A. in the past six months by the chairmen of the respective committees.

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