Senators May Ask U.S. to Resist Saudi Arabian Anti-jewish Policy

A Senate resolution calling on the State Department to resist anti-Jewish policies of the Saudi Arabian Government implemented within the United States by the Arabian-American Oil Co. may be introduced this session.

It was learned today that Senators consider the State Department’s attitude not sufficiently mindful of the rights and human dignity of American citizens of Jewish faith. The resolution envisaged would proclaim the sense of the Senate on resistance to attempts by Saudi Arabia to export anti-Jewish policies to the United States through ARAMCO.

Meanwhile, William B. Macomber, Jr., Assistant Secretary of State, today reiterated defense of a State Department position that a finding against Aramco’s anti-Jewish policies by the New York State Commission Against Discrimination would harm the company’s operations in Saudi Arabia “and would probably adversely affect other U. S. interests there as well.”

Mr. Macomber wrote Sen. E. L. Bartlett, Alaska Democrat, that “the Department does have an obligation to provide state authorities with information respecting the policies of other governments and of our own in foreign lands.” The Senator had written Mr. Macomber in protest of a letter from the State Department to the New York State Commission. He termed the Department’s letter “susceptible only to the reasonable interpretation that it was intended as a recommendation by the department.”

Sen. Bartlett and other Senators became concerned over the Department’s tacit defense of Aramco. They learned that Aramco was not only barring American Jews from employment in Saudi Arabia but also denying jobs to Jews in this country. Documents revealed that Aramco agreed to boycott a list of American business firms, owned or managed by Jews.

Senators made known they intend to ascertain whether anti-Jewish activities of Saudi Arabian diplomats in this country constitute an improper interference in American domestic affairs. They feel that if the State Department is lax in this area the legislative branch of the government must look into the situation.