A resolution endorsing motions now pending in both Houses of Congress for an investigation of conditions in Germany and of the failure of the denazification program was adopted here today at the conclusion of a two-day meeting of the national administrative committee of the American Jewish Congress. The parley was attended by 150 members representing A.J.C. groups throughout the country.
In presenting the resolution, Rabbi Irving Miller, president of the Congress, scored American High Commissionor John J. McCloy’s opposition to such an investigation. Rabbi Miller asserted that High Commissioner McCloy’s subordinates in Germany favor an objective study.
Another resolution called on the State Department to “immediately go on record in support of those groups in the Arab states advocating peace negotiations with Israel.” The meeting heard reports that former Egyptian Prime Minister Sidky Pasha, former Egyptian Foreign Minister Akhmed Luth Pasha and important buniness circles in Egypt have gone on record as favoring peace talks with Israel. A similar peace movement was reported from Lehenon. In its appeal to the State Department and to Secretary of State Dean Acheson the resolution also asked “that we exert our influence to the utmost to prevent any further shipments of arms, from Britain or elsewhere, to the Arab states.”
Other resolutions adopted by the meeting included a request that the U.S. Government reverse its position and support the right of petition by non-governmental agencies to the U.N. in instances of violations of human rights. “To deny the right of petition to responsible non-governmental agencies and to individuals is not only inadequate, but perilous,” the resolution said.
Dr. David Petegorsky, national executive director of the Congress, opening the quarterly meeting last night, charged that both the Democratic and Republican parties were “shadow-boxing on the F.E.P.C. Bill and making certain that no one except the American people were hurt in the process.” Dr. Petegorsky asserted that “this annual performance is rapidly establishing itself as a worthy rival to the circus with its own tightrope walkers.”
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