Throughout history Palestine has been in turn the end depot of civilization and the hub, and its role has been to interpret the culture of the East to the West.

With this preface, Prof. Leon Roth, rector of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, went on to explain to the Los Angeles Committee on Palestine at the Hotel Clark yesterday that it is the turn of Palestine again to be a central depot of civilization because of a rising Asia.

Prepared to Resume

And, he told his luncheon listeners, the Hebrew University is prepared to help in that role because of the study by its professors and students of Middle Eastern and Eastern philosophy, art, civilization and culture.

“Visitors to Palestine can see how desert stretches are being redeemed by Palestinians. It is our hope that we can in the same way help redeem the Middle East and, with it, the rest of a broken world,” he declared.

Exchanges Desired

Prof. Roth is in the United States to organize an exchange of teachers and students and to study American universities and scientific institutions. His visit to Los Angeles was sponsored by the “Friends of the Hebrew University.”

The committee on Palestine consists of prominent Christians and Jews who favor the reconstruction of Palestine as a free and democratic Jewish commonwealth. Byron C. Hanna, co-chairman of the committee, introduced Prof. Roth.

Original Source

January 24, 1945 | The Los Angeles Times

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