• February 7, 1950
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Cablegram from the Secretary of the Neturei Karta Community to the President of the United Nations Trusteeship Council

Jerusalem/International regime – Working paper/Addendum
Dual Distribution
Sixth session
Item 19 of the agenda

QUESTION OF AN INTERNATIONAL REGIME FOR THE JERUSALEM AREA AND PROTECTION OF THE HOLY PLACES

(Cablegram dated 7 February 1950 from the Secretary of the Neture Karta Community to the President of the Trusteeship Council)

We beg your Excellency to take into consideration the wishes of the Jewish Orthodox population, Neturei Karta, in Jerusalem. They have expressed in many ways their wish to live under the international protection of the United Nations and not under the sovereignty of the State of Israel.

This has been clearly stated in their memorandum of July 18th, 1949 to the United Nations, signed by Rabbis Aron Katzenelenbogen and Amram Blau, in accordance with the note to the United Nations from Rabbi Joseph Dushinski, the late Orthodox Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. The same view was expressed by the present Chief Rabbi, Ruben Bengis, when giving evidence before the Anglo-American Commission of Enquiry in Jerusalem.

We therefore beg your Excellency to use your utmost influence to ensure that the area of Mea Shearim, where the Orthodox population is mostly concentrated, be included in the international zone of administration or in any international scheme of supervision which may be created. This is a matter of life and death for them. They strongly feel that only under international protection will their rights be safeguarded.

We beg your Excellency to take into consideration the wishes of the Jewish Orthodox population, Neturei Karta, in Jerusalem. They have expressed in many ways their wish to live under the international protection of the United Nations and not under the sovereignty of the State of Israel.

We would also beg your Excellency to request the authorities of the State of Israel not to forcibly enroll the Orthodox youth of Jerusalem for army service. With the resolution of the United Nations Assembly, Jerusalem is at present non-Israeli territory, and it would be against the Charter of Human Rights to decide against their will.

Please be assured that this is the genuine Orthodox Jewish view, although not openly expressed at the present moment due to various factors, above all the domination of Zionist propaganda, which possesses all the media to intimidate and belittle all those who do not share their ideals.

In the name of defenseless and currently helpless Orthodox Jews, and in the name of humanity and eternal justice, we appeal to the United Nations to embody these points in their final decision with regard to Jerusalem.

May god bless your work.

Tomchei, Neture Karta
123 Manor Road
London-N-16
Rabbi Israel Domb,

Secretary.

Document symbol: T/457/Add.2
Document Type: Report
Document Sources: Trusteeship Council
Subject: Agenda Item, Holy places, Jerusalem
Publication Date: 09/02/1950