Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, addressing an Israel Bond meeting celebrating Israel’s 20th anniversary, said here today that “America is not going to permit Israel to stand defenseless against any who would destroy her” and reasserted the basic Middle East position of the Johnson Administration.
In his first statement on Middle East policy since he announced his candidacy for the Democratic Presidential nomination. the Vice President declared that “the five principles on which a durable peace in the Middle East can be built are still the same, we believe, as when they were stated by President Johnson last June 19.”
Declaring that “the greatest contribution” to Middle East peace would be an agreement with the Soviet Union to “curtail the arms race there, he stated that “meanwhile, however, because of what we all so deeply believe, let this be clear: America is not going to permit Israel to stand defenseless against any who would destroy her. Reason must prevail over force. Acceptance of nationhood must prevail over prejudice.” He added that, as President Johnson “indicated in the communique issued in January after his meeting with Prime Minister Eshkol, the United States will keep Israel’s military defense capability under active and sympathetic examination and review in the light of all relevant factors, including the shipment of military equipment by others to the area.”
Others who addressed the event included Lt. Gov. Samuel H. Shapiro of Illinois, and Col. Jacob Arvey, honorary chairman of the Greater Chicago Committee for Israel Bonds. The Vice President was guest of honor at a private dinner-reception sponsored by the Israel Bond Organization. A substantial amount of Israel Bonds were sold. Col. Harvey and Marshall Korshak, Chicago city treasurer, were co-chairmen for the event.
The Vice President previously attended an Israel Embassy weekend reception in Washington and congratulated Gen. Yitzhak Rabin, Israel’s Ambassador, on the anniversary.
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