Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-06-02

their observations, although I
do not always agree with some
Of them. I am disturbed by
Dorothy Thompson'S columns
on the Middle Fast.
When Miss Thompson writes
on this subject, I think it IS
only fair to let your readers
know that she is writing as
the leading pro-Arab propa-
gandist in the United States.
Miss Thompson is entitled to
her views, but she should be
labeled for her readers as
President Of the American
Friends Of the Middle East.
This organization has been
described as the most noto-
rious pro-Arab pressure group
in the country.
There is an element Of
newspaper ethics in this issue,
which I am sure no newspaper
would want to ignore. Would
The ST r run a series Of COL
unnns on the Middle East
by any prominent American
Zionist leader without indicat-
ing his position to its readers?
The American Friends Of
the Middle East runs the
gamut Of propaganda activi-
ties. It maintains an infor-
nation service, speakers bu-
reau, lecture and study pro-
gram, radio and TV programs:
holds news conferences, is
sues thousands Of releases,
publishes pamphlets, main
tains cells on college cam
puseS, sponsors junkets to the
Middle East, inspires maya
zine articles and books-all
in the effort to promote the
Arab cause and to discredit
Israel.
Miss Thompson has been
honored by the Arab govern
ments for her efforts on their
behalf. When she uses her
column to write on the Middle
East, she is using this news
paper to spread Arab propa-
ganda without q label and
under the guise of honest
comment.
Miss Thompson does not
hesitate to employ all the
techniques Of this profession,
such as half truths, distor-
ton, name-calling and threats.
Her EN- otional outbursts
against the United States,
Great Britain, the Soviet
Union, Israel and all and sun
dry who do not act in accord
with her tempestuous but
temporary views are calcu-
lated efforts to advance the
cause she represents.
I do not propose to discuss
what Miss Thompson has been
saying. I do not suggest that
she should not be allowed to
say whatever she thinks. I
question whether The Star is
fair to its readers when it does
not identify Miss Thompson
fully.
s. Hauser.
4 4 X Il
A letter to The Star of May
is. from H. L. Orgel, Informa-
ton Attache, Embassy of
Israel, has come to our atten-
ton, particularly the following
statement: 1.-THE tendentious
statements Of Miss Dorothy
Thompson and the so-called
American Friends Of the Mid
die East over whom she pre-
sides have been q source Of
comfort to the intransigent
Arab leaders who refuse to
negotiate a peaceful settle
rnent with Israel. Biased and
false reporting and comment
can only endanger the peace
Of the area" In view Of Mr..
Orgel's charges. it might be
well to review the five-year
history Of this organization.
The American friends Of the
Middle East, Inc, is an Amer
lean organization. Its activi-
ties extend from Morocco to
Indonesia. 1t has pleaded for
a statesmanlike and tradi-
tional American foreign policy
based on benevolence to all
and special privilege to none.
On May IS. 1851, "a Amer
leans, already aware that
American relations with sew
eral Middle Eastern states and
peoples were in serious jeop-
ardy. launched their organiza-
ton. They we're men and
women with wide experience in
the Middle East. university
professors, former mission
aries. archAeologists and a re-
tired diplomat, most Of them
unaccustomed to organized
public activity, but all Of them
deeply concerned. Miss
Thompson agreed to serve a.