Hebrew Committee of National Liberation, May 24, 1945

Letter from the Hebrew Committee of National Liberation to Louisville Times Editor Tom Wallace. The letter is signed by Secretary General S. Merlin. Merlin explains that he is responding to the paper's recent solicitation of opinions of "how to bring about a solution of the Jewish problem." He notes the "complexities of this age-old problem" and expresses "deep regret" over the resulting implications from opinions in the newspaper that there is "a world Jewish community with national and political characteristics." He further claims that the concept of "the universal Jewish nation, or Jewish people" is "detrimental to the very interests of our people." Six clarifying points follow in which Merlin discusses the differences he sees between nationality, "religious affiliation," and political terms. One major theme is that there "is a decisive distinction between the terms 'Hebrew' and 'Jew.'" Merlin explains that the Hebrew Committee of National Liberation seeks to "convince the United Nations that they must assume the responsibility of repatriating all the Hebrews from Europe who desire to . . . return to their national territory--Palestine." He concludes the letter by noting that this is "an international question" and that answering it is a "moral responsibility."

Mss. A W194b, Folder 272, Tom Wallace papers, The Filson Historical Society, Louisville, Kentucky

Mss. A W194b Folder 272 Hebrew