Azf Urges Brezhnev to Change Soviet Jewish Policy; Eight Prominent Jews Join Azf

The American Zionist Federation issued an appeal to Leonid I. Brezhnev, General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, that the 24th Communist Party Congress opening Tuesday take steps towards directing “a change in government policy towards Jews.” The appeal was cabled to Brezhnev by Rabbi Israel Miller, president of the AZF which is holding its semi-annual national board meeting here today. Stating that anti-Semitism is “against the tradition of avowed Communist doctrine,” the appeal expressed the hope that the “change would call for the release of 39 imprisoned Jews, would permit Soviet Jews who so desire to emigrate to Israel, and would restore to Jews remaining in Russia the right of cultural and religious expression granted to other Soviet nationalities.” The appeal also expressed the hope that the Soviet Union would heed the views “expressed by influential leaders outside of Russia critical of the Soviet government’s handling of questions affecting its Jews.” The contents of the cable, sent to Brezlinev on Friday was not released to the public until today to make certain that it reached Brezhnev without any prior public fanfare. It noted that the Soviet Union, through its affirmative vote in the United Nations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is “on record as having agreed to the fundamental rights of Jews to emigrate.”

Rabbi Miller deplored resent Soviet government policy which he termed “most harmful not only to Soviet Jewry, but also against Zionism, Judaism and the Jewish people.” He also stated that the policy “has fostered anti-Semitism both within and outside the Soviet Union.” Rabbi Miller’s appeal was based on the hope that the attendance at the Congress of 80 Communist Parties throughout the world represented by fraternal observers and participants would have the effect of influencing Soviet officials that a review of its Jewish policy would be beneficial. Addressing the 100 board members present at today’s meeting. Jacques Torczyner, chairman of the board, expressed support of President Nixon’s warning against American neo-isolationism and identified Senator J. William Fulbright. Democrat of Arkansas and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as the “leading spokesman” for neo-isolationism. Torczyner said “it is very strange that those who disagree with the administration of our foreign policy suddenly support the Secretary of State (William P. Rogers) on his Israel policy while we are taking a strong position on the Soviet Union.” He warned that “the appeasers” in the government are trying to weaken Israel and the western position in the Middle East.

Torczyner was referring to Rogers’ statement to the Senate last Thursday when he told the 67 Senators present at the closed hearing that the U.S. was not pressuring Israel into withdrawing from territories but only requesting that Israel accept the principle of withdrawal. Rogers’ appearance before the Senate followed an attack two days earlier by a number of Senators of his plan calling for Israel’s withdrawal to its pre-1967 borders. Rogers plan was defended by Fulbright. During the meeting it was announced that eight prominent American Jews have responded “to the million member roll call of the American Zionist Federation by joining as members-at-large.” The eight are: Dr. Abraham J. Heschel, theologian; Isaac Beshevis Singer, author; Arthur J. Goldberg, former Supreme Court Justice and U.S. ambassador to the UN; Richard Tucker, opera star; Elie Wiesel, writer; Dr. Haim Ginott, child psychologist; Herman Wouk, author; and Chaim Gross, sculptor. Rabbi Miller said the eight had joined because they, like others who are joining the AZF membership “roll call,” recognize that “anti-Zionism is fast becoming a code word for anti-Semitism and anti-Israelism.” He added that “it is most encouraging that many American Jews in this time of peril for Israel, recognizing the need for Jewish solidarity, have made the decision to stand up and be counted for all the positive values in Jewish life.”