The Arizona post., 1961-01-20
Ben Gvrion's Remarks Explained
EDITOR:
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Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion was reported to have
said ala in his address to the Zionist Congress- that
Jews living of Israel Goddess This report mis-
quoted the Prime Minister and somewhat distorted what
he said in his interview with AP CORE
spondent BenGurion clarified of the points, and
thought worthwhile draw attention to this inter
view that you may know what the Prime Minister'S
speech really contained
Ben Gurion said to correspondent that improper
tiona has been laid passages which were
themselves properly related abroad No observer OF
the Jewish is in his possibly under
estimate decisive Importance of American Jewry for the
entirety Jewish people and in the creation and but
ressing young State of Israel In fact in speech
Il put the emergence the American Jewish Community
as positive development Jewish life par with the
miracle rebirh which helped Jewry to withstand
the great of the isolation and paralysis of Soviet
Jewry the last forty and the holocaust in Europe
at the hands of the Nazs"
The Prime Minister went to say to the AP CORE
spondent 1n this speech said that in Israel Jewish
consciousness be intensified Moreover, said and
hold teach the young people of this country
and appreciate the position the attitude and
the achievements of Jewish communities all the world
It is true that deeply concerned that from outside
Judaism in the lands gradually be weakened unless
positive action is taken But surely know that this
share with responsible Jewish leadership every
where including the United States of America In the
United States leaders of of the different organ
cations keep preaching the need for education towards
profound Jewishness especially through the study
of the Hebrew language which is the key to the understand
ing the spiritual legacy and especially the Bible
Jewish leaders from America who to see me have
told this anxiety of theirs and of their efforts to
negative tendencies In fact I have often been
quesed to raise my voice in unison with theirs in calling
Jewish parents everywhere to to that the heritage
people lost to their children. This
expressed this differs therefore in
way from what being said by responsible Jewish leader
ship everywhere and profoundly hope that in this
country will be able to concert action with Jewish leader
ship United States and in other countries in order
constructive practical programs in the sphere
hp6I1pat with Of
Jewish spiritual heritage everywhere"
On the question of Goddess Jews" this is what Mr..
Ben Gurion had to say to the AP correspondents Ths
formulation of what supposed to have said amounts
distortion of my words and of my intentions. major
part of my speech devoted the theme of the vital
need for Aya explained why the State of Israel needs
educated Jews On this theme, which, you know
concerns most profoundly, went into some detail
At point addressing myself specifically the
minority of Orthodox Jews I reminded them that
cordng to the Tamud of the commandments of the
Jewish religion linked with the land of Israel AS
example of this quoted the Ialmud which says at one
point that whosoever dels outside Land of
likened who has God did not coin this phrase
The only thing did quote the Tamud this point
those who believe that every in the Tamud
obligatory to them Certainly do not think that American
Jewry Goddess, and is senseless to attribute such
thought to me-"
The interview concluded follows: ' would record
my profound belief that the fruitful interchange
and cooperation between the great Jewish community of
the United States and the independent Jewish community
in the Jewish state and will produce great results for
Israel for the Jews of the United States for the Jewish
people whole This cooperation has certainly
feature of Jewish existence World War the
great communities in Europe longer We must
not be afraid to talk frankly to each other that
means criticism disagreement here there certain
that what united is far greater the love of
democracy of human freedom of the spiritual heritage
of Jewy and the great Messanc dream of redemption
Jews and for all humanity"
YAACOV NASH
Consulate General of Israel
$50 South Highland Ave.
TOc Anon1 Co1if