The Israel Government today protested formally to the United States against interference in matters which concern Israel alone and warned that Assistant Secretary of State Henry A. Byroade’s suggestion last Saturday night that Israel should limit immigration into the country as a means of reassuring the Arabs might “impose a severe strain on Israel-American friendship.” (See page 3 for more criticism of Mr. Byroade.)
The protest was made by Dr. Walter Eytan, director general of the Israel Foreign Ministry, who summoned American Charge d’Affaires Francis Russell on instructions from Premier and Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett and conveyed to him the sentiments of the Israel Cabinet.
Dr. Eytan declared that the Israel Government regards the passage in Mr. Byroade’s speech–made before the anti-Zionist American Council for Judaism–as “unjustified interference in matters which are purely Israel’s own concern, subject entirely to her own sovereign judgment.”
Dr. Eytan pointed out that the right of every Jew to immigrate to Israel is a fundamental principle of Israel’s policy and legislation. “The Israel Government deeply regrets the attempt made by a United States official spokesman, despite that principle, which is liable to impose a severe strain on Israel-American friendship,” he stated.
(The address by Mr. Byroade was cleared by the State Department and approved in advance of delivery by the Department’s top command, it was officially stated today in Washington.)
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