Jewish Groups Rap Administration

Major Jewish organizations sharply criticized the Ford Administration today for working to block anti-boycott legislation and for thwarting moves to halt the sale of missiles to Saudi Arabia.

Rabbi Alexander Schindler, chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, charged that the Administration was involved in “maneuvers” to “appease the Arab states.” He said that “The American people have a right to be outraged today. We have been victimized on two fronts by the failure of the Administration to act in accordance with its professed principles. American ideals have been bartered away for Arab oil. This is a sad day for our country.”

Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg, president of the American Jewish Congress, said “President Ford has demonstrated his willingness to combat the boycott by indicating his intention to sign the Tax Reform Act, including the Ribicoff Amendment (which includes the denial of tax benefits to companies that comply with the boycott). We call upon him now to declare his support of the bills already passed in the House and Senate in order to underscore our demand that American businessmen remain free, without foreign intervention to make such business judgements as they believe to be in their best interests.”

Arthur J. Levine, president of the United Synagogue of America, the congregational arm of Conservative Jewry, expressed regret that the Administration has “knuckled under to the threat of the Saudi Arabian government and the Arab oil interests.” He predicted that this will result in an acceleration of the arms race in the Middle East and will further place the United States under the domination of foreign oil interests.

CARTER TO ADDRESS JEWISH LEADERS

Meanwhile, Schindler announced today that Jimmy Carter will meet tomorrow in Boston’s Ramada Airport Inn with Jewish leaders from across the country for what is expected to be a strong attack by the Democratic Presidential nominee on the Ford Administration’s policies supporting arms sales to Saudi Arabia and opposing anti-boycott legislation. Carter will address the Presidents Conference. In addition, representatives of all national Jewish organizations and Jewish community councils nationwide have been invited to attend. Schindler said Ford has also been invited to address the Jewish representatives and that a reply from the White House is expected soon.