The Carter Administration’s efforts to bring the American Jewish community leadership closer to its views on major U.S.-Israel policy differences apparently were unsuccessful at last Thursday’s White House luncheon and briefing for 31 Jewish community officials from 19 cities across the country, according to information obtained. (See Feb. 24 Bulletin for original story.)
While those present refused to discuss the substantive matter when the Jewish Telegraphic Agency approached them after the luncheon, it was learned that the guests firmly took issue with the Administration’s proposed “take it or leave it” planes sale package for Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Israel and its attitude toward Israeli settlements which the Administration has termed “obstacles to peace.” No guest sided with the Administration’s positions on these two matters, JTA was told.
Zbigniew Brzezinski, President Carter’s National Security Advisor, was the principal spokesman on Middle East political issue at the luncheon, while Energy Secretary James Schlesinger stressed the importance of Saudi Arabia to the U.S. economy and fuel requirements. James Mclntyre, director of the Office of Management and Budget, discussed the new budget without entering into the facets of U.S. assistance to Israel or her Arab neighbors.
DEFENDS AIRCRAFT SALE PACKAGE
In his hour-long period of briefing and responses to questions, Brzezinski opposed the Israeli position that its settlements in areas won in the Six-Day War constitute a security matter. He said Israel’s position was fallacious and that Israeli military officers acknowledge that settlements are not security-related.
Regarding the $4.8 billion aircraft package, Brzezinski reportedly noted that if Egypt did not receive the proposed 50 F-5Es it would again-turn to the Soviet Union for planes and President Anwar Sadat would be overthrown. The Saudis, he reportedly said, could acquire aircraft equivalent to the proposed 60 F-15s from France and then thumb their noses at the U.S. Should Egypt and Saudi Arabia not receive U.S. military equipment, Soviet-supported Libya would strike at them Brzezinski was said to have asserted.
He was also said to have stressed that for the first time, moderates are in positions of influence in Egypt and Saudi Arabia and the U.S. wants moderates in control. Regarding the settlements, United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 applied to all frontiers, Brzezinski implied, while the Israelis take a contrary position toward the West Bank.
The Jewish guests, who were mainly representatives of local welfare federations, resisted many of his contentions. “They were very vocal, especially on the settlements,” according to one source. A White House source said there was “nothing unusual” about the event which he described as a “dialogue-type of meeting” and one of many held at the White House on national affairs.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
