Thomas, Polier Discuss Israel

"It is certainly the right of Jews to choose Zion instead of gas ovens or less spectacular forms of persecution," Judge Justine W. Polier, an official of the American Jewish Congress, stated in a fiery debate with Norman Thomas on "Israel's Immigration Policy," last night at Jordan Hall.

Judge Polier based her defense of Israel's "open doors" on the assertion that "in the twentieth century human rights are often identical with national rights."

Thomas suggested that Israeli immigration should be more moderate and take into account the feelings of the Arab nations, explaining "We must learn to compromise and live with our neighbors in peace if we are to avoid total destruction." He also contended, "the world should attempt to "secure the right of every individual to live peacefully wherever he wants," rather than segregate Jews in a particular geographic area.