IDEALISTS PRAISED

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29739, 5 February 1962, Page 20

IDEALISTS PRAISED

View Of Rabbi Brodie

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Feb. 2. A word in favour of idealists who participate in antibomb demonstrations and the like was spoken today by the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Commonwealth (Dr. Israel Brodie).

"While you’ve got idealists in the population there is always hope for a nation,” he said.

Sincerity was the main thing, he said, when expressing the hope that the publicity received by Britain’s Committee of 100 with its protests against the Government's military policies had not misled people to believe they were bodgie types and lacked sincerity. Rabbi Brodie also had a word of sympathy for police and magistrates who had to uphold the laws of good order when prominent persons like Lord Russell were involved on the other side.

“Unfortunately, the organised protests have to take a form which occasions publicity for the cause and brings protestors into conflict with the law,” he said. Asked about the Eichmann trial, Rabbi Brodie said Israel was concerned not only that justice should be done, but that the world should also believe that justice was done. Whether Eichmann should die for his crimes was a difficult question involving many considerations.