U.S. and Canada Asked to Act Against Anti-jewish Restrictions

A resolution calling upon the U.S. Congress to ratify the United Nations Convention Against Genocide was adopted here at the annual convention of District Four of B’nai B’rith. By ratifying that convention, the resolution stated, the United States could express to the world “the horror and revulsion of our citizens to the mass murder of any ethnic, racial or religious group.” District Four includes B’nai B’rith lodges from the United States and Canada.

Another resolution, addressed to both Canadian and U.S.A. authorities, called upon the two governments to make sure that no aid given to Arab countries is “diverted and misused to acquire offensive weapons and to encourage aggression,” and urged the two governments “to adopt a firm policy which will bring an end to boycotts and blockades by the Arab nations.” Canada and the U.S.A. were also requested to bring about an end to trade, employment and travel restrictions by Arab countries against citizens of the Jewish faith.

Grave concern over the welfare of Soviet Jewry was expressed in a further resolution which pledged that “we shall continue to make the facts known and to appeal to the conscience of the world to bring about the elimination of the persecutions and the injustices being suffered by Soviet Jewry.” The men’s section of District Four elected Bill LeVine, of Los Angeles, as Grand Lodge president. The women’s district convention, held simultaneously, elected Mrs. Leonard Lake, of Los Angeles, as district president.