I have deeply envied my colleague Mrs. Moumné, who during your farewell banquet atBhamdoun relayed to you the collective feelings of thirty-four Associations affiliated to our League ofLebanese Women.
The following lines will fully support her words, and will bless you for having fulfilled thedream of a mother country, longing for her long lost children.
The small and wonderful land of your ancestors extends its heartiest thanks to those whobestowed their gifts on their native villages, and comforted the poor. For the sake of truth we cannothide that the aching heart of Lebanon wishes only for two riches: Maintenance of the spiritualbonds which tie our American sons to us, ties such as those born from a past emblazoned with honor;and your fullest support of our requests in favor of our unhappy Palestinian brethren, torn fromtheir homes while you were fighting for human liberty.
Ladies and Gentlemen: ancient history proves that the barbarian conquerors, leaving behinda trail of barren waste, were less cruel than the modern Huns.
The Jews have suffered greatly by the Hun’s insanity, but shifting their burdens on otherdefenceless people, coldbloodedly, would be even worse.
Your eyes have seen the Palestinian refugees, thrown like cattle, in the Syrian and Lebanesefields. Money compensation is not an answer, for they have lost their homes.
Several nations might have thrown down their barriers, and welcomed the Jewish peopleinto vast untenanted lands, but Palestine already had its own sons, to-day craving for their homes.To call for justice is a human duty, more compelling to you since the United States which hasadopted you holds the balance of world power.
Ladies and Gentlemen; the mothers in our League of Women can only speak for humanityand peace, do not resent it if we address you as we would our own children. Remember also thatunfortunate Palestine was once part of Syria and of Lebanon and that the rights of Palestiniansto be reinstated in their homes are sacred.
Ladies and Gentlemen; believe us, give us your help and let the blessings of the Almighty fulfillthe wishes sent to you by our Women’s League through