The recording begins with the conversation already in progress. El Bandak, an Arab
Christian from Bethlehem, is speaking about plight of the Christians living in the Holy
Land. He tells Eisenhower that he is in the country to address the General Assembly of
the United Nations and help raise funds for relief efforts ofthe 130,000 Christians in
Palestine. Eisenhower tells him that "people in this country don't know of the problem
you're talking about." El Bandak tells Eisenhower that the Roman Catholic Church has
conducted much of the relief work. Eisenhower asks if he has spoken with anyone in
Congress or the State Department.