August 23, 1950: David Ben-Gurion Speaks to U.S. Jews on Allegiance to Israel
August 23, 1950: At a luncheon in Jerusalem hosted by the American Jewish Committee, Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion clarifies controversial remarks made a few months earlier, when he said that only those directly involved in the operations of the state would have a voice in its future.
"It is most unfortunate that since our state came into being," Ben Gurion told the assembly, "some confusion and misunderstanding have arisen as regards the relationship between Israel and Jewish communities abroad, in particular that of the United States.
These understandinbgs are likely to alienate sympathies and create disharmony where friendship and close understanding are a vital necessity.
"The Jews of the United States as a community and as individuals have only one political attachment, and that is to the United States of America. They owe no political allegiance to Israel."
See Also:
"It is most unfortunate that since our state came into being," Ben Gurion told the assembly, "some confusion and misunderstanding have arisen as regards the relationship between Israel and Jewish communities abroad, in particular that of the United States.
These understandinbgs are likely to alienate sympathies and create disharmony where friendship and close understanding are a vital necessity.
"The Jews of the United States as a community and as individuals have only one political attachment, and that is to the United States of America. They owe no political allegiance to Israel."
See Also:
- What is the American Jewish Committee?
- What Is AIPAC?
- Hadassah, Women's Zionist Organization of America
- What Is Zionism?
- A List of Israel's Prime Ministers
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