Dr. Nahum Goldmann, chairman of the Jewish Agency executive whose 60th birthday was marked today in Israel with the publication of a special edition of the daily newspaper “Zmanim” and articles in other newspapers, set forth his views on crucial problems including United States Government policy vis-a-vis Israel, Israel and American Jewry, as well as the future of world Jewry.
To a question on what he thinks of the present stand of the State Department toward Israel, Dr. Goldmann replied:
“I don’t believe that the official policy of the American Government has become anti-Israel, I certainly do not believe in making a few highly-placed officials responsible for the policy of the Administration which is determined by the President and the Secretary of State and for which they have the responsibility. What is happening is that the American Government has come to the conclusion that it must try to fill the vacuum existing in the Near East and, for this purpose, win the confidence of the Arab States and do away with the notion that America is backing Israel under all conditions.
“The State Department is going about this in a prejudicial manner, however the root of the difficult situation is the lack of normal relations between the Arab world and Israel. The methods which the State Department has used recently, especially as expressed in some speeches of Mr. Byroade, are detrimental to Israel and questionable in their effectiveness.
“The task of American Jewry and all friends of Israel is, to criticize frankly these methods and to convince the American Government that it must do everything possible to persuade the Arab States that Israel is here to remain and that it is to their interest as well as in the interest of Israel to achieve peace. As a precondition to peace, the Arabs must be willing to sit down with Israel to discuss their common problems and points of controversy just as Israel is willing to do.”
On the question of his views on the future structure and trends in American Jewry, Dr. Goldmann stated:
“I believe in the possibility of survival and constructive achievements within American Jewry on condition that Israel, as the center of Hebrew culture, will form more and more an integral part of the life both of the American Jews collectively and of individual Jews and that greater efforts be made to ensure a Jewish and Hebrew education of the young generation of American Jewry to make it conscious of its being Jewish and to make it willing to participate in the continuity of Jewish living history. “
On the question whether the Zionist movement is still viable and for how long; the Jewish Agency chairman declared:
“I believe in the necessity and viability of a Zionist movement for a very long period on condition that the Zionist movement dedicates itself to fulfilling that part of the Zionist program which, even with the creation of the State, has remained unfulfilled. That means the typing up of the Jewish Communities with Israel, the care for Jewish culture and education everywhere and the strengthening of the will of as many Jews as possible to take part in the upbuilding of Israel including personal Aliyah of large numbers of Galuth Jews. “
To the question whether he shares the view of the gravity of the crisis of Israel-Galuth relations, Dr. Goldmann replied:
“I don’t see any crisis at the moment, but I do believe that the relations between Israel and the Galuth represents the most important Jewish problem of today both for Israel and the Diaspora Jewry. Forms and methods must be found to establish a permanent and safe relationship of mutual co-operation and partnership between Israel and the Jewish communities all over the world as essential both for the future of Israel and still more important for the future and survival of the Galuth Jewry. “
Questioned whether Jewry, in the present crisis, is physically more safe than on the eve of World War II, Dr. Goldmann said:
“Generally speaking, the physical conditions of Jewry are today much safer as there is no regime like the Nazi regime determined to destroy Jewry physically- On the other hand, it should not be forgotten that in case of another war and upheavals in Eastern Europe, grave danger is threatening. The Jews might be caught in a vise between governments already suspicious of and persecuting Jews for their alleged ”connections’ with the Western Powers — on the one hand, and on the other, anti-Communist movements which might hold them responsible for the Communist regime. Thus the Jews of Eastern Europe would be caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. “
The special edition of “Zmanim” devoted to Dr. Goldmann’s birthday carries messages of congratulations to him from Deputy Undersecretary of State Robert Murphy, General Lucius D. Clay, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, Senator Herbert H. Lehman, former Ambassador James G. McDonald, Israel Ambassador Abba Eban, Dr. Joseph Schwartz and others.
Mr. Murphy, in his message, emphasizes that he has “the highest personal regard” for the humanitarian work of Dr. Goldmann. “I know something of his devoted and generous efforts in behalf of Israel. It is a great pleasure to extend to Dr. Goldmann, on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday, my warmest wishes for his continued good health and happiness, ” the Deputy Undersecretary of State says.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
