Kollek Cautions Against Attempts to Undermine Unity of Jerusalem

Mayor Teddy Kollek of Jerusalem cautioned American Jewry against “attempts, not only by our enemies, to undermine the unity of our capital city Jerusalem.” The oblique criticism, which was seen as directed at the United States for vacillating and weak position it has taken on the issue of Jerusalem both inside and outside the United Nations, was contained in a letter, to Rabbi Joseph Sternstein, president of the American Zionist Federation which is sponsoring. The Jerusalem Pilgrimage from Nov. 17-20.

Sending his “warmest greetings” to the Pilgrimage organizers, Kollek said: “Your demonstration of solidarity and identity with Jerusalem will help manifest the determination of the Jewish people to safeguard our city.” He added he was looking forward to welcoming the Pilgrimage in November.

Premier Menachem Begin of Israel had previously hailed the Pilgrimage, calling it an “expression of our peoples’ age-old bond with the city.” He said that “Jerusalem, the united and indivisible city, the heart of the Jewish people, is ours forever.”

The office of the Prime Minister and that of Kollek’ are both assisting in developing the 3-day program in Israel. Featured parts of the program are a “March for the Unity of Jerusalem” in which thousands are expected to parade through the streets from the New City to the Western Wall; special ceremonies and prayers at the wall; a festive dinner with Begin; a reception with President Yitzhak Navon; a session addressed by Kollek and other dignitaries; conferring of awards upon American Jews who have contributed significantly to interpreting the meaning of Jerusalem to the Jewish people; and the awarding of Jerusalem Certificates to each synagogue or participating group.

The three co-chairmen of the Pilgrimage are: Rabbi Seymour Cohen of Chicago, Rabbi Arthur Lelyveld of Cleveland, and Rabbi Haskel Lookstein of New York.