Black Panthers Reluctant to Postpone Visit to U.S. Despite Plea from Rabbi

A leader of one of Israel’s Black Panther groups said today the group probably would reject an appeal from an American Religious Zionist leader that the group postpone for at least six months plans to send a delegation next month to the United States to air their complaints of discrimination. The appeal was made by Rabbi Bernard Poupko of Pittsburgh, president of the Religious Zionists of America, which held its annual convention here last week, during a 90-minute meeting with Black Panther leaders. Rabbi Poupko told the Black Panthers that their complaints of government bias against them in housing and job help were well-known among American Jewish leaders and being made known to the general public. Rabbi Poupko argued that the Panthers’ appearance in the United States might hurt Israel’s cause. The meeting was held at the initiative of Rabbi Poupko, who, on behalf of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, promised that priority would be given to Israel’s problems of poverty and social justice and that this would be done both within American Jewish organizations and in their contacts with the Israeli government. He then asked for postponement of the Panther visit.

Panther leader Charles Bitton told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that the group was “not inclined” to accept the postponement request, although the seven-man Panther group promised Rabbi Poupko a reply “within a fortnight” before he returns to the United States. Bitton said that the trip to the United States was being financed by a group of Sephardic merchants and builders whose names he refused to give. He also refused to say who in the United States was helping to sponsor the visit.