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Z.O.A. President Charges C.i.a. with Financing Aras Students in U.S.

February 28, 1967
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About one half of the 8,000 Arab students now studying in American universities are conducting a U.S.-financed campaign against Israel on the campuses at over 100 American colleges and universities, Jacques Torczyner, president of the Zionist Organization of America charged yesterday. He also alleged that “many of these students are allied with outright anti-Semitic groups.”

The Zionist leader made these charges in connection with the revelation that the pro-Arab American Friends of the Middle East is listed among the domestic American organizations that have been provided with American funds through the C.I.A. He further accused the latter organization with being “the driving force behind the subversive Arab propaganda onslaught on the campuses.”

Mr. Torczyner spoke before 200 Zionist leaders assembled from all parts of the country at a meeting of the National Executive Committee of the Zionist Organization of America, the ruling body of the organization between conventions, held in the Hotel New York Hilton. He sharply criticized the National Student Association which he charged “adopted a resolution at a national meeting in Madison, Wisconsin in August 1965 phrased by the Arab Student Association viciously attacking the State of Israel. “

Mr. Torczyner strongly opposed the new attempts made under the new spirit of ecumenism for a dialogue between religious faiths. He termed the call of religious elements in this country to fight secularism as “dangerous.” It would be very dangerous at this time to trigger a battle between religious and secular elements in the Jewish community .” He said that “such a battle would split the Jewish community.” He endorsed the position taken by the Orthodox leader, Rabbi Joseph Soleveitchik who opposed such dialogue as this as “this can only lead to new difficulties and trouble. “

Dr. Emanuel Neumann, World Zionist leader, who is national chairman of the 70th Jubilee Convention committee, announced that the 70th Anniversary Convention of the Zionist Organization of America will be held in Israel in July with an expected attendance of 1, 200 delegates from all parts of the U.S.

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