Implications of the Soviet Union’s anti-Semitic campaign were discussed yesterday at a closed White House meeting, it was learned today. Participants included President Eisenhower, Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, and Congressional leaders.
Consideration was given to the issuance of a Presidential protest at Eisenhower’s press cenference today. However, this was not acted upon because of fear that such a statement might do more harm than good, Similar concern, it was learned, was felt over the adoption of proposed Congressional protest resolutions. The conferees indicated deep concern over the situation of Jews behind the Iron Curtain, but decided that they did not know what course of action to take.
One idea that occurred at the meeting was that the Soviet Union might exploit any official American protest to bolster the communist contention that Israel and America are allied in an anti-Soviet conspiracy. There was also an opinion advanced by Secretary Dulles, according to a reliable informant, that any American expression on behalf of Israel would not stop the Kremlin, but might alienate the Arab world.
Adlai Stevenson was said to have dissussed today the Israel-Soviet situation, among other world problems, with President Eisenhower and Secretary Dulles. He also met for one hour and fifteen minutes today with Henry A. Byroade, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, to discuss problems relating to Israel and the Arab states.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.