Carey Castigates Begin’s Critics

New York Governor Hugh L. Carey last night castigated early critics of Israeli Premier-designate Menachem Begin, charging that their “short-sightedness” in labeling the Likud leader an extremist “enhances arguments for imposed solutions to the Middle East crisis.”

In an address to an Israel Bond dinner at the Essex House here, Carey asserted “we certainly should not criticize Mr. Begin now,” stating “there is no indication that the new government of Israel will swerve from the pursuit of negotiated settlement” in the Middle East. He called for “intelligent and informed approaches to the elected leadership of Israel” and said that “we must encourage in both private and official circles in this country a clear-headed understanding and patience as Menachem Begin and the Likud Party build the parliamentary and democratic coalition necessary to govern the country.”

The Governor was guest speaker at a testimonial dinner for former New York State Assembly Majority Leader Albert H. Blumenthal that was sponsored by the Manhattan Lawyers Division of State of Israel Bonds. Attorney Louis Nizer, chairman of the dinner, announced that it produced more than $560,000 in Israel Band purchases.

Carey said it was “ironic” that Mr. Begin, “whose election is evidence of the workings of democracy under pressure, should be criticized as an extremist, while the non-democratic leadership of some of the forces most threatening to Israel is described as moderate.” Noting that the transition period in its government is “a crucial time for Israel.” the Governor said this situation is “easy for Americans to understand since we ourselves undergo similar political transitions in our democratic system of government.”