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Correspondence

June 12, 1964

Letter to Ambassador Knopstein about West German Scientists Working on Anti-Israel Weapons (1964)

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Correspondence

Letter from R. Applbaum about West German Scientists Working on Anti-Israel Weapons (1964)

Dear Colleague: We, of the Rabbinical Council of America, are very grieved and perturbed to note the fact that the West German government, whose scientists have been helping Egypt prepare mass destructive lethal weapons with which to destroy Israel (Rachmana Litzlon), has refused, after many requests and demands, to recall these scientists and to assure us that they will no longer assist the Egyptian government, as has been proven they have been doing until now.We, therefore, turn to you, dear colleague, with the request that you immediately send a telegram or a letter on your behalf, from the congregation, and from as many of your members as you can possibly get, addressed to the German Ambassador to the United States, the Honorable Karl Heinrich Knopstein, 4645 Reservoir Rd., N.W., Washington, D.C. In this letter, you are to demand of the German government that they discontinue this inhuman action towards the Jewish people, whose death of 1/3 of their nation they were directly and completely responsible for during this past generation.I do not believe that we need to spare the Embassy or the Ambassador any harsh words in this matter. The letters that we write should be as critical and as sharp as decency will permit.It would also be advisable if you would send a copy of the letter that you are sending to the German Ambassador to the State Department of the United States as well, and we too would greatly appreciate a copy of your letters.I trust that you will take care of this matter immediately.Very cordially yours,Rabbi Sidney ApplbaumIsrael Commission
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Correspondence

Letter from Ambassador Knappstein Responding to Rabbi Lamm’s Concern Regarding Germany’s Involvement with the United Arab Republic (1965)

Dear Rabbi Lamm: You recently wrote me a letter in which you expressed your concern over the activities of German citizens in the armaments industry of the United Arab Republic. I would like to assure you that I not only appreciate your concern but that I, as well as my Government, share it. The Federal Government has declared in a statement on the 27th of March, 1963, that it condemns the participation of German citizens in the development and production of weapons in areas of tensions.Before I point out the efforts which the German Government has taken in this regard, I would like to clarify several facts which have been grossly distorted and exaggerated by newspapers and other reports:It is not true that German scientists in the UAR work on the development of nuclear, bacteriological, or chemical weapons. This has been confirmed by investigations made by the German Government as well as by the American Government. They take part, however, in the development and production of jet engines for airplanes and rockets.The number of German scientists working in the UAR has been very much exaggerated. There are hardly more than half a dozen of them; all the other Germans mentioned in this context are merely technicians and workmen.Not only German scientists and technicians but also nationals of other countries are involved in these projects.None of the German citizens in the UAR work there on behalf or with the acquiescence of the German Government, but they do so entirely on their own initiative. As I have already pointed out, the German Federal Government condemns their activities.It is true, however, that a number of German scientists and technicians are working in the UAR on the development and the production of modern weapons. I agree that — after the horrible events of the 1940s — it is particularly inappropriate for Germans to participate in the production of weapons which ultimately could be used to the disadvantage of the nation of Israel. This poses the questi…
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Correspondence

Letter to Ambassador Knappstein Criticizing West Germany's Attitude to Israel (1965)

To: Rabbi Jung. From: Sec. of Rabbi Lamm. This is the text of the telegram sent to German Ambassador Karl Hendrick Knappstein, German Consulate, 460 Park Ave., N.Y.C. (For your files). Most emphatically protest West Germany's surrender to Nasser blackmail. Your government is undoing all its previous efforts to restore your country to mankind's respect. Dr. Leo Jung, Norman Lamm, Rabbis of N.Y.C.
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