Mayor Stokes: Future of Black People in U.S. Bound Up with Israel’s Survival

Mayor Carl B. Stokes likened the Israeli fight for survival to the future of the black race of America in his talk to the opening dinner meeting of the 40th annual welfare fund appeal of the Jewish Community Federation. Talking about his recent visit to Israel, Mayor Stokes told the 500 attending the meeting that as he walked through the old city of Jerusalem and reflected in how it had tasted the lash of history “it was then that I realized that whatever I could do to help people understand why Israel must survive–that I must do. It taught me a lesson not just for Israel, but it taught me a lesson for my own people. There have been many sessions that I have had since I’ve been back here and talked to black Americans, and I tried to say to them that if Israel does not survive, then the demise of the black man will probably not be far behind.” Mayor Stokes observed that the same forces that would fail to rally to the cause of “this democratic nation in the Middle East would fail also the black people.” Mayor Stokes also paid tribute to the young people of Israel who have shown “a purposefulness.” He added the youth of Israel “are light years ahead” of our youth. Max M. Axelrod, general chairman of the Jewish Welfare Fund appeal and Israel Emergency Fund announced the total pledges of $5,658,986 toward the regular fund and $3,378,385 for the IEF. This was a record high for any opening dinner in the 40 years of the welfare fund appeal.