Dr. Nahum Goldmann, president of the World Zionist Organization, said last night that Israel should respond positively to West Germany’s offer of full diplomatic relations. He spoke at a press conference on the eve of a fundraising drive for the United Israel Appeal of Belgium.
He said he had always adhered to an opinion “that Israel and Germany are equally interested in normal relations.” However, he added, “these should be full diplomatic relations without subterfuge.” He felt Israel should accept the offer.
Dr. Goldmann said it would not be easy in a country where there were hundreds of thousands of survivors of concentration camps “and one may under stand the emotion provoked by the idea of a German Ambassador.” But, he added, he felt the “political wisdom of Israel and her friends will bring it to accept this offer if it is a real offer of full diplomatic relations.”
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.
