Because the Jordan Pavilion has persistently refused to remove its controversial anti-Israel mural, the American-Israel Pavilion announced today that it will display a blown-up reproduction of this mural along with a poem stressing peace.
Thousands of fair visitors, including many Jews, have paid an admission price of 50 cents to enter the Jordan Pavilion, to see the much publicized mural, it was reported today. The reproduction of the Jordanian display at the American-Israel Pavilion will be placed in the courtyard where there is no admission fee.
The accompanying poem, titled, “Peace Through Understanding”–the World’s Fair theme–was written by Harold S. Caplin, chairman of the board of the America-Israel World’s Fair Corporation. His effort, which is patterned on the inscription under the objectionable Jordanian mural, begins: “Before you enter have you a minute to spare to hear a word on Israel and enjoy seeing our dream?” The Jordanian original begins: “Before you go, have you a minute to spare to hear a word on Palestine and perhaps right a wrong?”
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