Black Group Again Condemns Israel

The steering committee of the National Black Political Convention, meeting here last night, condemned Israel “for her expansionist policy and forceful occupation of the sovereign territory of another state.” According to local news sources reporting on the meeting which was closed to the press, last night’s resolution was a re-statement and “clarification” of an anti-Israel resolution adopted by voice vote in the closing minutes of the National Black Political Convention in Gary, Ind. March 12.

The reports stated that the steering committee suggested that action be taken to “alleviate the suffering and improve the position of the Palestinian people in Israel” and in support of “the struggle of the Palestinian people for self determination.” The steering committee resolution also reportedly praised a resolution adopted yesterday by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights alleging grave breaches of the Geneva convention and “war crimes” by Israel in the administered territories.

According to the news reports, last night’s meeting of the steering committee was attended by Rep. Charles C. Diggs Jr. (D. Mich.) the Convention co-chairman and Mayor Richard G. Hatcher of Gary. Diggs is one of the 13 members of the Congressional Black Caucus which issued a unanimous statement in defense of Israel on March 21, in effect a strong repudiation of the Gary resolution. Hatcher had been sharply critical of the Gary resolution. Neither Diggs nor Hatcher could be reached today for comment.

The news reports did not say if the steering committee resolution was adopted unanimously or whether there was opposition to it from persons attending the meeting. Also present at the steering committee meeting was Leroi Jones, the Black poet and militant. He could not be reached for comment today.