Plans for the expansion of the Zionist program in the United States and for securing American aid for the state of Israel were mapped out here today “by the newly-elected administration of the Zionist Organization of America, following the conclusion last night of the 51st annual convention of the Z0A.
Israeli representative to the United Nations Aubrey S. Eban, addressing a dinner given in honor of Dr. Abba Hillel Silver, declared that the Provisional Government of Israel will reject the proposal of U.N. Palestine mediator Count Folke Bernadotte to transfer Jerusalem to Arab rule.
“The suggestion to enthrone King Abdullah in Jerusalem is an obvious affront to religion, history, justice and international law,” Eban stated. “Here is a city with sacred associations, all derived ultimately from its Jewish origin. The Jews of Jerusalem shall never be the citizens of an Arab state. If, as we do not believe, the U.N. wants to allow itself to be jockeyed out of its proudest responsibility–the Jews of Jerusalem will be morally free to take such steps as their vital interests dictate.”
Gen. John H. Hilldring, speaking at the dinner, declared: “I must say–as a friend of Israel and as an honest commentator–that the results that have been achieved in bringing Israel into existence since last November are nothing short of amazing. Compared with the difficulties besetting the establishment of India and Pakistan, the achievements today in Israel constitute a near miracle.
“There is much yet to be done,” Gen. Hilldring added. “There is, for instance, the matter of de jure recognition of Israel, the lifting of the embargo, and the questions arising out of the truce negotiations. With respect to all of them, I am quite confident.”
Dr. Emanuel Neumann, re-elected president of the Z.O.A., paid high tribute to Dr. Silver, declaring that he “remains as the ranking head of the World Zionist Organization. It is understandable, if after his monumental labors, he should desire to enjoy a well-earned rest. But, what is he going to do if Zionists the world over should call him in the near future to assume the presidency of the World Zionist Organization?” Dr. Neumann asked.
Bartley S. Crum, former member of the Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry on Palestine, and present publisher of the New York Star, said that those persons believing that with the establishment of Israel the work of the Z.O.A. would come to an and “were deluded.” The next “half century of Zionist activities,” he predicted, will be as productive as the first.” He added that the dream of Herzl must be made to come true for “the 200,000 DP’s still in the camps of Europe, as well as for the Jews of Yemen, Iraq and Syria.”
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