Abourezk Mounts Attack Against ‘israeli Lobby.’ Dual Allegiance

Sen. James Abourezk (D.S.D.) unleashed a vitriolic attack against the “Israeli lobby” and dual allegiance to the United States and Israel at a Democratic Party Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner here Saturday night. His attack won him a standing ovation by the 700 persons attending the fete.

Many prominent Democrats, labor leaders and Jewish officials had protested his appearance and refused to attend the dinner. As late as last Tuesday, efforts were made to find a substitute speaker or an additional speaker to counter-act his well-known pro-Arab views. Abourezk responded by demanding to know whether free speech was no longer possible in Colorado. The Senator told the dinner audience that he had not originally intended to deal with Middle East issues but that in view of the dispute he now felt compelled to do so. He furthermore claimed that the dispute surrounding his appearance was sparked because he was not sufficiently pro-Israel.

“I gave an oath to support the United States, but I am not willing to swear allegiance to Israel or any foreign government,” he stated. The Senator charged that it is easier for Americans to criticize their own government than Israel’s because critics were afraid of being tarred with the brush of anti-Semitism.

“Just as we have seen U. S. Presidents wrap themselves in the American flag, in efforts to stifle criticism of their policies, so do we see a foreign country wrapping itself in its state religion, so that criticism of the state or its politics is perceived as a form of racism,” he said. Abourezk said the “Israeli lobby” wielded “extraordinary influence” in Washington. The ability of this lobby “to accomplish virtually any legislative feat involving military or economic assistance to Israel is legend,” he declared.