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Ben Gurion Visits Prof. Einstein En Route to Philadelphia; Discuss Relativity, Philosophy

May 14, 1951
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Israel’s Premier David Ben Gurion today sited Prof. Albert Einstein here at the latter’s residence and spent about two hours with him. No one else was present during their talk.

Emerging from Prof. Einstein’s home, Mr. Ben Gurion told reporters that they discussed relativity, freedom, Greek philosophy, Spinoza and similar subjects. “We discussed no politics,” he stated. From Princeton he proceeded to Philadelphia to present the Israel flag to Independence Hall there at a special ceremony.

Prior to leaving New York, Mr. Ben Gurion was guest of honor at a luncheon rendered by Ambassador Abba Eban to heads of delegations to the United Nations. He as greeted at the luncheon by Selim Sarper, president of the U.N. Security Council.

Responding to the welcome accorded him, Mr. Ben Gurion emphasized Israel’s concern for world peace. The world should not be despondent, he said, if the idea of effective collective security had not been fully realized in the past six years. “If in idea is really compelling by its practical and moral need, then it is bound to win.

Mr. Ben Gurion recalled with appreciation the role played by the United Nations in giving “full recognition and approval” to Israel’s right to independence. Israel had rejoiced, he said, when the share of the United Nations in bringing about the armistice agreements between Israel and its Arab neighbors had been symbolized by the award of the Nobel Prize to “the great servant of peace,” Dr. Ralph Bunche.

The Israel Premier received Mr. Benjamin G. Browdy, president of the Zionist Organization of America in his suite at the Waldorf Astoria where a thorough discussion on American Zionism was held. Mr. Ben Gurion showed keen interest in the scope of work being undertaken by the Zionist Organization as explained to him by Mr. Browdy. Accompanied by members of his entourage, the Israel Premier attended Sabbath services yesterday morning at the East Fifty-First Stroot Orthodox Synagogue in New York where he received blessings from Rabbi David B. Kahane.

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