The Southern Jewish Weekly

Mistreatment of Egyptian Jewry Scored by U. S.

WASHINGTON - The State Department has informed Egypt of the United States Government's "deep concern" over reports of mistreatment of Egyptian Jews, it was disclosed this week.

B'nai B'rith said it has been advised by William M. Rountree, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, that the Government is following the situation in Egypt "closely" to determine in what "further and appropriate manner the United States Government may take action designed to be helpful."

In a letter to Philip M. Klutznick, president of B'nai B'rith, Rountree said that "the American Embassy in Cairo has been instructed to inform the Government of Egypt of the deep concern of the United States Government over the reports which have been received."

The Assistant Secretary added: "The Department of State is presently seeking to obtain an accurate picture of the situation in the light of many conflicting assertions on this matter. The abnormal circumstances arising out of the hostilities in Egypt have made complete reporting on events there difficult."

Rountree wrote B'nai B'rith that Secretary Dulles "shares your concern over the reports of Egyptian mistreatment of Jews."

Klutznick said that B'nai B'rith "welcomes the assurances of diplomatic action given by our State Department."

"The full weight of the dignity and authority of our Government in vigorous representations to Egyptian authorities can serve only to remedy existing conditions of uncivilized conduct but can prevent these officials from countenancing even greater excesses," the B'nai B'rith president declared.

He also expressed his organization's "grateful approval for Secretary Dulles' prompt attention to these serious circumstances."

The text of Mr. Rountree's letter to B'nai B'rith follows:

"I have by reference from the Secretary your telegram of November 30, 1956 concerning reports of mistreatment of Jews in Egypt.

"The Secretary shares your concern over these reports. The Department of State is presently seeking to obtain an accurate picture of the situation in the light of the many conflicting assertions on this matter. The abnormal circumstances arising out of the hostilities in Egypt have made complete reporting on events there difficult.

"You will be interested to know that the American Embassy in Cairo has been instructed to inform the Government of Egypt of the deep concern of the United States Government over the reports which have been received. You may be certain that developments in this situation will be closely followed with a view to determining in what further and appropriate manner the United States Government may take action designed to be helpful."