Speech #810023144

Mr. Chairman. the measure we have before us today has already passed the other body. This measure authorizes an appropriation of $16.000.000 as the contribution of the United States Government. as stated in the resolution. to the United Nations for the relief of Palestine refugees. Incidentally. I might remark that the title is somewhat of a misnomer. since it indicates that it is a Jewish relief measure. As a matter of fact. there are only 7.000 Jewish people included in the provisions of the measure. while there are 500.000 Arab refugees who are to be assisted. As a further matter of fact. our latest information is to the effect that instead of 500.000 Arabs. there are at the moment 700.000 Arab refugees to be relieved. This fund of $32.000.000 has been set up by the United Nations. I believe I am safe in saying that this constitutes a precedent in the work of the United Nations. for it is the first time. so far as I am advised. that the United Nations has attempted to set up a general fund for relief of peoples throughout any quarter of the world. The fund is set up because of the fact that in September 1948 the then mediator for Palestine. Count Bernadotte. reported to the United Nations that a tremendous number of refugees scattered throughout the Arab countries. were in need of immediate assistance. No cognizance was taken of that report at once. but in September or October of the same year Mr. Ralph Bunche. who had succeeded Count Bernadotte as mediator. also made a report with reference to these refugees. filing that report with the United Nations. In the report he stressed the condition of those refugees. who were scattered all over the area adjoining the new State of Israel. and opened the way for a request by the United Nations of all membership countries throughout the world to make contributions. In speaking of the share of the fund to be contributed by the United States. the gentleman from Massachusetts mentioned that such share was allocated by reason of a statement made by our representative before the United Nations. I believe I can supplement that by saying that President Truman. in December I believe. made a public statement that we would be willing to contribute to the fund for the relief of these refugees. provided that fund did not exceed $16.000.000. Therefore. the resolution does not directly authorize a total of $16.000.000. but authorized the appropriation of funds which shall not exceed a total of $16.000.000. This situation in respect to the Palestine refugees arose as you all probably know without my telling you. through the hostilities that took place in Israels efforts for the establishment of a separate state. During the fight there were countless thousands of Arabs who were residents of that portion of Palestine that now comprises the State of Israel. There was an exodus of thousands from that State into adjoining Arab territories.