The Republican National Convention today pledged itself to maintain a “friendly interest” in Israel and to help to bring about peace between Israel and the Arab countries.
The plank on Israel adopted by the convention as part of the Republican Party platform was based on a text presented to the platform committee by Republican Congressman Jacob K. Javits and modified by the committee. The original text was favored by the American Zionist Council, which represents all the Zionist groups in the United States. The text adopted tonight reads:
“The Republican Party has consistently advocated a national homeland for the Jewish people since a Republican Congress declared in support of that objective 30 years ago. In providing a sanctuary for Jewish people rendered homeless by persecution, the State of Israel appeals to our deepest humanitarian instincts and arouses our strong commendation.
“We shall continue our friendly interest in this constructive and inspiring undertaking. We shall put our influence at the service of the peace between Israel and the Arab states and we shall co-operate to bring economic and social stability to that area.”
Sen. Eugene D. Millikin, of Colorado, chairman of the 106-member Resolutions Committee of the convention, was credited by Zionist circles as being helpful in the adoption of the plank, as were Senators Irving M. Ives and Richard Nixon and former Senator Curley Brooks of Illinois.
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