Keating Urges Immediate U.S. Steps to Reaffirm Support for Israel

Senator Kenneth B. Keating, New York Republican, called on the United States Government tonight to take immediate steps to reaffirm its support for Israel and convince the Arab nations that this country “will stand fast in the Middle East.”

Addressing the 39th annual national convention of the Mizrachi Women’s Organization of America, Sen. Keating proposed a comprehensive program of action for the U.S. Government, aimed at dealing with the threats to peace in the Middle East today and promoting stability in the region “over the long run.”

Urging the U.S. Government to “make a formal protest to the United Nations against President Nasser’s latest call to arms–his effort to recruit a volunteer army of Arab refugees to threaten and harass Israel,” Sen. Keating called for an “all-out UN effort to monitor and condemn hatemongering propaganda in the Middle East.”

Also recommended by Sen. Keating were prompt steps by the United States “to integrate Israel into our defense system” along the lines of treaty agreements with other friendly nations.” “What probably would be the most overall effective action to guarantee true peace in the Middle East,” he declared, “would be successful leadership by the United States to win admission for Israel in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.”

At an earlier session, Sen. Jacob K. Javits, also of New York, Republican, offered another program for Mideast peace, urging the severance of U.S. aid to Egypt as an incentive toward the adoption of peaceful policies in the region. Sen. Javits also called for the continuation of U.S. aid programs to Israel; the formation and encouragement of an economic organization of states to include, initially, Turkey, Israel, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon and Iran; the ending of boycotts, blockades, blacklists and other trade barriers; and regional development of natural and industrial resources.