Bush Tells Jwv Convention That Struggle Against Anti-semitism and Defense of Freedom Are Allied Caus

Vice President George Bush and Virginia Governor Chorles Robb both told Jewish war veterans today that they better than anyone know that in order to maintain the principles of American democracy the United States must remain strong.

The Republican Vice President, and Robb, a Democrat, participated in the dedication of the new headquarters of the Jewish War Veterans and its Ladies Auxiliary, which opened the JWV’s 89th annual convetion. Bush affixed a mezuzah to the front door of the building which also houses the JWV’s National Memorial and library.

“No group could understand better than the Jewish War Veterans that the struggle against anti-Semitism and the defense of freedom are allied causes and must be pursued with equal vigor,” Bush said.

Noting that the Reagan Administration wants to keep the nation at peace, “for the remainder of this century and beyond,” Bush said, “As long as this Administration remains in office, we will maintain a strong defense — a defense that is ready and prepared and strong enough to deter war.”

Robb said that “the Jewish War Veterans have understood that our freedom and security are nurtured only when America’s democratic institutions are maintained through strength.” He said, “We cannot honor those in whose memory this building is dedicated today if we fail to recognize our own responsibility to assure that our military forces … are equal to threats we will face tomorrow.”

EMBASSY MOVE REMAINS AN ISSUE

While both Bush and Robb stressed the strong alliance between Israel and the U.S., Robb declared before the 1,500 delegates at the JWV convention that he supported a resolution urging that the United States move its Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Calling Jerusalem “the heart and soul of the Jewish people,” Robb said: “Jerusalem is not negotiable.”

Bush did not mention Jerusalem. But earlier today State Department spokesman John Hughes said that both President Reagan and Secretary of State George Shultz continued to be opposed to the Congressional bill seeking to force the Embassy move.

Bush reiterated the Administration’s opposition to anti-Semitism. “We will not remain silent in the face of anti-Semitism,” he said. “For us there is never any justification, or any excuse for racial and religious bigotry; and we will continue to condemn it loudly and forcefully whenever and whereever it raises its ugly head.”

Lt. Col. Jack Jacobs, a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, said the new JWV headquarters is a symbol of the “Jewish record of patriotism to our United States.”

Joseph Zoldan, JWV national commander, noted that the JWV, the oldest group of war veterans in the U.S. had only received its Congressional charter August 21. Florence Goldberg, national president of the Ladies Auxiliary, said that the organization had realized its “dreams” of getting its new headquarters.