The Republican national platform committee opens its week-long sessions in Kansas City Aug. 8 in an atmosphere of uncertainty on the specific wording of policies and philosophy it is ordained to offer the party’s quadrennial convention that begins in the same city. Aug. 16 to choose its nominees for President and Vice-President.
Unless the nomination for the Presidency appears assured for either President Ford or former California Governor Ronald Reagan before it completes hearings and begins drafting, the committee may emerge with tenuous positions on some major issues, including possibly even those so-called Jewish concerns, and leave it to the convention itself to draft the precise language in the planks.
The committee comprises the representatives -two each from the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands. Iowa Governor Robert D. Bay is its temporary chairman.
The Reagan forces, concentrating on the nomination, have not spelled out their positions on matters of high Jewish interest. A group led by Peter Hannaford of Los Angeles is reported preparing them. However, expressions by Reagan and his running mate, Pennsylvania Senator Richard Schweiker, would indicate their firm backing for Israel and emigration rights for Soviet Jews and others.
Reagan, who four years ago, received an Israeli award from the then Foreign Minister Abba Eban, challenged the Administration’s position on Israel on March 31, saying it was insufficient for our ally Israel. He also affirmed in an interview in the Los Angeles Times that he favored providing Israel what she requires for her security. Schweiker’s voting record, as JTA has already reported, establishes him as a stalwart supporter of issues of deep concern to the American Jewish community, namely, on foreign policy matters, including the Arab boycott.
Ford’s own position on the “Jewish Issues” is on the public record he has established over his past two years in the White House. This includes his advocacy of a record amount of financial aid to Israel-more than $4 billion over 27 months ending in September of next year.
FORECAST OF REPUBLICAN PLATFORM
A forecast of what will appear in the Republican platform about Jewish issues was indicated by the New York State Republican Chairman, Richard M. Rosenbaum, who is seeking planks “supporting Israel’s security, strength and integrity” and “free emigration for Soviet Jewry.” Rosenbaum said in a recent press statement that he has received the support of the 14-member Northeastern U.S. Republican State Chairmen’s Association which he heads and that he recently discussed the proposals with Ford and top Republican and Presidential aides at the White House.
According to Rosenbaum’s statement, his proposals would have a Republican Administration “continue to work for progress toward a permanent peace settlement” in the Middle East. “The U.S.,” his statement says, “should strive for an end to economic boycotts, the free passage of the ships of all nations through the international waterways of the area, and, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 338, the terms of a peace settlement should ultimately be negotiated directly between the parties involved in the conflict.”
He also urges “appropriate military equipment” for Israel to maintain the power balance and economic assistance to “relieve its economy over burdened with defense expenditures.”
OTHER PROPOSALS INDICATED
The Rosenbaum proposals also would “provide economic and development assistance to such moderate states as Egypt to aid in their social and economic development and develop stronger trade ties.” They “recognize the responsibility of the world community for a just solution to the problems of Palestinian refugees” to be resolved within the “context of an overall Middle East settlement while continuing the current policy of not dealing with any Palestinian group unless it accepts both Israel’s right to aided and UN Socially, Council Resolutions 242 and 336.”
His proposals support “a unified status for Jerusalem and free access to all holy places which now is provided to all faiths.” He does not call for moving the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Ford set aside that idea in his first news conference as Chief Executive, and Presidential news secretary Ron Nessen reiterated that position several weeks ago.
Regarding Soviet-related matters, the Rosenbaum proposals urge the Soviet government to “immediately cease the coercion, intimidation, arrest and trial of Soviet Jews who seek to emigrate to Israel, in accordance with the Helsinki accords.” They also urge “full religious and cultural opportunities for Soviet Jews, including essential Jewish institutions, be restored.” In addition, his proposals urge that “the plight of Soviet Jews be on the agenda of all appropriate international forums.”
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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.
