Presidential Adviser Pledges ‘sympathetic Awareness’ of Soviet-jewish Problem

Presidential Adviser Walt W. Rostow expressed “sympathetic awareness of the problems affecting Soviet Jews,” Rabbi Israel Miller said today after a meeting at the White House of United States officials with the leadership of the American Jewish Conference on Soviet Jewry. The delegation called for implementation by President Johnson of previous promises to seek relief of the anti-Jewish pressures in the Soviet Union.

The leaders of 25 Jewish organizations, speaking for the American Jewish organizations, speaking for the American Jewish community, asked the Administration to communicate to Moscow “concern for the continuing plight of Soviet Jewry.” The White House meeting lasted 50 minutes. It was also attended by Presidential aide Nathaniel Davis, former U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria.

Rabbi Miller quoted Mr. Rostow as pledging that the Government would continue to convey U.S. concern to Moscow through available channels. He said the delegation urged a greater sense of urgency by the U.S. Government in view of the anti-Jewish drive that emerged in Eastern Europe in the wake of the Six-Day War in June. A request was made for the use of the Voice of America facilities and cultural exchange contacts to sustain the morale of Russian Jews, Rabbi Miller said greater attention was needed because of the new Soviet campaign of “incredible vilification” against Israel and Zionism that has been unleashed by Soviet authorities.

Dr. William A. Wexler, international president of B’nai B’rith, told the delegation that continued determination by American Jews must be exerted to focus attention on the Russian anti-Jewish campaign. He said American Jewry must be as persistent in defense of Soviet Jewry as young Jews of Russia are in seeking to retain their identity. He cited to overflow crowds that attended Rosh Hashana services in Russia this year, despite the hate campaign.