The Phoenix Jewish news., 1961-02-24
The Kibbu+zniks

Israel Kibbutzniks in blue denms, digging
drainage bitches and winning friends in new African
nations where American diplomats are slipping COCK
tails at aircondtoned parties That picture convey
ed by Dr. Thomas Patrick Melady former United States
Point Four official in Africa whose new book Protles
of African Leaders," has just been issued
DR. Melady now director of DuQuesne Unversltys
Institute of African Affairs wants Americans TO unoer-
stand the African personalities and explosive forces
in the changing continent Involved in the future OF the
24O million Africans emerging in over 30 new nations
is Israes fate and possibly Americas own destiny
The issue is crucial for Israel, dependent on the
United Nations votes of new African states The u N
General Assembly now has 90 members. Many are
neophyte African nations procaimng neutrality IN tne
East-West struggle Some tiny that they are not
vet shown on MAPS but their votes count equally with
the Great powers.
Israel is blockaded and boycotted by the Moslem
states dominating North Africa. She is denied Suez
Canal transit by Nasser's United Arab Republic one
is cut off from Moroccan Jewry by lsamc iron cur
tain Therefore her quest for friendship in Negro Africa
Dr. Meady speaks with the sincerity of a Catholic
layman devoted to bringing human rights and dignity
to an exploited continent. In comments amptylng MS
book Dr. Melady pointed out that "the Israels go to
great lengths to cultivate their relations with Africans
In city like Accra Ghana where there are 26 foreign
embassies it is easy for attache to spend his entre
time in round of cocktail parties where he sees every
body but Africans. The Israeis in contrast seem to
have little time for cocktail parties.
"The entire Israeli staff from the Ambassador down
make personal family friends with Africans he said
hey meet in each others homes This gives the lsfaes
better knowledge of the people and results in many
real friendships"
On his African tours as U. S. official, DR.. Meady
observed israeli activity in many fields. For decade
the Israes have been developing technical enterprises
roads, buildings industries and new trades in Africa
and most important educational programs for Africans
All this is useful experience for Americans to study
Dr. Melady told of American preoccupation with
blocking Soviet strategy in Africa To-day, he said
1--WE are also becoming mindful OF the welfare and
needs of the peoples of Africa This has evidently been
genuine concern of the Israeli. More than any other
single factor, it is the key to their success there
Israels ''peacecorps was in action long before the
term occurred to Washington speech-wrters Rugged
Kibbutznks rejecting racsm, reached African hearts,
Dr. Meady saw "the value of variety OF educational
programs the Israes have undertaken He was pratlc
uarly impressed by the practical training on the sec
ondary level given Africans who already have admins
trative responsibilities We inclined to forget
Israes small size when note that they are currently
giving training to over 400 Africans and have already
trained several thousands"
The Arab League and Soviet propaganda is scream
ing about Israeli coloniast penetration OF Africa AT
the recent Casabanca conference Naser sought align
African states against Israel But Africans know
that Israel reaches out hand of true friendship while
Nasser cyncaly exploits the passions and cherished
aspirations of emergent peoples Cairo is funnel Tor
Communist arms and propaganda Tel Av1v exports
kbbutznks concerned with draining sWamps, tghtlng
disease, and raising crops.
CThs Milton Friedman of the Jewish Telegrapmc
agency0