Situation of World Jewry Reviewed at Actions Committee

A review of the situation of the Jews in the Western countries, in the Communist countries, in the Arab countries and in Israel was presented today at the Zionist Actions Committee session by Berl Locker, chairman of the Jewish Agency executive in Jerusalem.

Mr. Locker said that Jewry faces assimilation in the Western lands, deteriorating conditions in the Arab countries, while in the Soviet bloc countries they live under suspicion. He pointed out that, in the United States, only 27 percent of all the Jewish children receive some kind of Jewish education. In the Arab countries, he said, Jews live under conditions similar to serving in prison as hostages, and their only hope is to get to Israel. In the countries behind the Iron Curtain, he stressed, trials of Jews are being held on the grounds of their real or suspected activity as Zionists.

Speaking on immigration, Mr. Locker said: “We need immigration to Israel not only to save Jews from the danger of assimilation, but also to save Israel from threatening danger.” He warned the Jews in the Western countries that the liberalism of their countries may not endure forever without change.

U.S. JEWS MUST AID ISRAEL FOR A LONG PERIOD, SAYS LOCKER

Commenting on Israel’s position on the international scene, Mr. Locker said it had taken an unfavorable turn. He noted that the recent speech of Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Henry A. Byroade indicated that the United States had partially adopted the British view on dealing with the Arab states.

He called on American Jewry to be aware of this change in the American Government’s attitude and to be on guard in Israel’s behalf. He warned that world Jewry, particularly American Jewry, would be called upon for financial aid for a long period, and said that immigration and absorption of immigrants in Israel was the task of the entire Jewish nation. He stressed that, while he did not think it was necessary for every Zionist to come to Israel to live, immigration constitutes a basic tenet of Zionism.

In a thesis on the meaning of Zionism, the Jewish Agency leader declared that the Jews are one people, linked by a common faith and a mutual responsibility. Everything must be done to assure the continued existence of the Jewish people, and assimilationist trends must be fought vigorously, he said. Jewish education and community life abroad must be strengthened, he asserted, and all centers of Jewish activity abroad should be oriented toward Israel.