Carter Pledges U.S. Will Never Waver from Its ‘total, Absolute Commitment’ to the Security of the Je

President Carter, hailing Israel on the 30th anniversary of its independence, declared today: “We will never waver from our deep friendship and partnership with Israel and our total, absolute commitment to Israel’s security.”

He offered that pledge to Premier Menachem Begin of Israel before a gathering of some 1000 American Jewish community leaders, rabbis, clergymen of other faiths and government officials attending a reception on the White House lawn to mark Israel’s approaching Independence Day.

“In the Jewish tradition, 30 stands for strength,” Carter said, “and Israel today is strong. There is a Jewish saying, from strength-to-strength and I hope Israel will indeed evolve from strength-to-strength, “he said.

The reception, which began at about 2 p.m., followed a 30-minute private meeting between Carter and Begin in the Oval Office. The two leaders emerged accompanied by their wives, to a roar of “Havenu Shalom Aleichem” from the thousand guests. Begin seemed pleased with the talks. “I bring you good tidings, with all my heart, thank God,” he said. “These discussions and talks are characterized by friendship and understanding. It is with the feeling that America and Israel are inseparable friends and allies.”

Begin acknowledged Carter’s remarks, which preceded his own, by saying, “The President has made one of the greatest moral statements ever.” He said “We have always believed in the moral greatness of America. I never lost hope.” He observed that the President spoke in the tradition of Abraham Lincoln who said that “right makes might.”

Carter and Begin spoke briefly after which a receiving line formed and the President and Premier shook hands with the invited quests. The lawn, resplendent in spring foliage, was lined with festively decorated tables bearing fruit, coffee and pastries. “Today,” Begin declared, “is a day for rejoicing.”

FRIENDLY TALK BETWEEN VANCE, BEGIN

Begin arrived in Washington this morning and was driven directly to the State Department where he had talks and lunched with Secretary of State Cyrus Vance. Begin and Vance seemed cheerful when they spoke to reporters after their meeting.

Vance said their discussions were aimed at obtaining a joint declaration of principles acceptable to Israel and Egypt and to make progress on concrete issues. He said his talks with Begin had been good and expressed hope that direct negotiations between Israel and Egypt will be resumed shortly.

Begin said he and Vance “believe and hope that in the near future there will be a measure of agreement that will make it possible for the peace-making process to continue.” He added, “We shall make all efforts possible to reach an agreement. This is the goal we have set for ourselves.”

SALE OF WARPLANES DEFENDED

Earlier, at a White House briefing for reporters, Presidential Press Secretary Jody Powell said that a recent interview with President Carter that produced alarm in Cairo yesterday did not represent a change in U.S. Middle East policy. (See related story P. 4.)

Powell dwelt on the U.S. proposal to sell advanced war planes to Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, now before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and seemed to be appealing to Israel to accept the deal in the interests of its own security.

Powell enumerated facts about the F-15 jet fighters to support the Administration’s contention that their sale to Saudi Arabia would not constitute a menace to Israel. He warned that if the sale is rejected by Congress and the Saudis turn to France to purchase similar Mirage aircraft, a genuine threat to Israel’s security could materialize.

1000 RABBIS MARK ISRAEL’S 30TH

Earlier in the day, about 1000 rabbis from all parts of the U.S. gathered at the Lincoln Memorial for a two-hour tribute to Israel’s 30th anniversary. Greetings were received from national rabbinic leaders representing the Orthodox, Conservative and Reform branches of American Jewry.

Speakers included Msgr. George Higgins of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops; Rep. Robert Drinan (D.Mass.); civil rights activist Bayard Rustin; and Rev. John Wood Jr., executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs. The ceremonies closed with the kindling of a Menorah to symbolize Israel’s quest for peace. Many of the assembled clergymen later attended the reception on the White House lawn.