At the National Assembly of the Jewish National Fund Humphrey; Will Not Support U.S. Economic Aid to

Sen. Hubert H. Humphrey, (D. Mine.) declared here last night that he opposes U.S. assistance “for rich Arab oil countries” and said that he will not support President Nixon’s request for $250 million in economic aid to Egypt until he is assured that all nations, including Israel, will have the right of passage through the Suez Canal.

Addressing some 2500 people attending the National Assembly of the Jewish National Fund at a gala salute to the land and people of Israel at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, Humphrey said: “It is important for us to achieve normal relations with Arab countries,” but added, “I do not see how the Congress can approve the President’s request until we have the evidence that international law will be upheld.”

Sen. Humphrey shared the platform with Jacob Tsur, world chairman of the JNF, who disclosed a new $6 million Bicentennial Project linking a large region southwest of Jerusalem with 200 years of American independence. The bicentennial project will also mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the JNF, the land reclamation and afforestation agency of the World Zionist movement.

According to Tsur, the project, which will be implemented over a period of three years beginning in 1974, will develop an ecological and forestry infrastructure in the area located within 25 miles of Jerusalem, with the immigrant township of Beit Shemesh as its center. The opening of arterial roads with the improvement of access between the area and Jerusalem, a system of recreation services, picnic areas, hiking routes, the creation of special tourist sites, and the planting of one million trees are among the major objectives of the plan.

Other highlights of the new bicentennial venture, Tsur reported, include a forestry museum and an observation gallery atop Mt. Ayalah, the highest peak in the southern Judean mountain chain and a Hall of Honor to be designed by an outstanding American or Israeli architect which will symbolize the bonds of friendship between the U.S. and Israel.

ARAB STATES MUST DISAVOW TERRORISTS

Humphrey, who received standing ovations from the audience several times during his address, referred to last week’s massacre of 21 Israeli children and four others at Maalot and declared. “It is clear that the Palestinians do not want peace” in the Middle East. He called on the Arab states to disavow the terrorists and charged that “the nations that harbor these terrorists are harboring criminal.” Calling on “every country in the UN to condemn these terrorists,” Humphrey pledged that “the U.S. will never desert the people of Israel and never allow them to stand alone.”

Referring to the right of passage through the Suez Canal. Humphrey noted that this was guaranteed to all nations under international law but has never been granted to Israel. “I call upon Secretary Kissinger to inform the Congress and the American people of assurances that he might have obtained from President Sadat of Egypt relating to Israeli use of the Suez Canal.” he said.

Humphrey pointed out that when the waterway is reopened the Soviet Navy will have access to it, shortening the distance and cost involved in maintaining Soviet sea power in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean “with all that portends.” He said it would be a “travesty” and “gross injustice” for Israel to be denied use of the canal while it was open to Russian ships. If that should be the case, “it makes absolutely no sense for American tax dollars to be spent for clearing and opening the Suez Canal,” Humphrey said.

STRONGER TODAY THAN EVER BEFORE

Tsur, focusing on the tragedy in Maalot, said: “In the name of what truth, of what ideals, have the Arab gangsters used the life of innocent children, purposely, consciously, cynically, counting on our love for every child, to attain their political purposes?” He added, “While our enemies concentrated in continuous efforts of destruction and hatred, we were engaged in up building and creation. That is why we were stronger in 1956 than we were in 1948, stronger in 1967 than in 1956, stronger today than we ever were before.”

Tsur declared that one of the lessons of the current crisis in Israel is that “we have to return to the pioneer era…to prepare the infrastructure of Israel, the basis on which our whole building reposes.” Speaking about the image of the JNF he said it’s wrong to see it “as a mere tree-planting instrument.” It is, he stated, the “greatest contribution to the ecological problem of an ever expanding new Israel–It is a preparation for a new way of life of a strong and secure society.” Noting the great unity between American Jewry and the people of Israel, Tsur said, “American Jewry is our staunchest ally in a hostile world,” and that the Israelis are fully aware of this role in the “renaissance of our people and the creation and growth of a Jewish State.”

WILL TRANSLATE PROJECT INTO REALITY

Meyer Pessin, JNF national president, pledged on behalf of the Fund, that it would begin immediately its task of translating the project presented by Tsur into “a tangible reality which will enable all Americans of all persuasions to identify our proud and glorious country with the aspirations and achievements of the 26-year-ole Sate of Israel.” Herman L. Weisman, chairman of the assembly, said the terrorist carnage in Maalot was, in addition to “a mission of murder,” a “studied, deliberate, political act for the confessed purpose of disrupting the peace negotiating process that was taking place,” Shuttle diplomacy, he added, will be futile unless Syria and other Arab countries with draw shelter, arms and encouragement from all Arab terrorist groups.