Cease-fire Resolution Hailed

Jewish leaders today hailed the Middle East cease-fire initiated by a joint resolution of the United States and the Soviet Union adopted by the Security Council last night. Rabbi Israel Miller, president of the American Zionist Federation warned, however, that “words must be matched by deeds and peace will not be assured by a cease-fire that can be breached even as was the cease-fire agreement of 1970 when Soviet missiles were illicitly and illegally moved to the West Bank of the Suez Canal.”

Miller said that American Jewry “will not tire in its support of Israel no matter how long or difficult will be the struggle.” He said that “the cease-fire this time must be accompanied by fresh and sincere negotiations between the Arab states and Israel without preconditions.” He stressed that only the parties to the conflict can make peace.

“It cannot be imposed from without. If the Russians move in this direction they will be moving to restore the spirit of understanding and cooperation which America and the world eagerly awaits,” he said. Rabbi Miller expressed suspicion, however, of the Soviet role as a peace-maker, charging that by supplying the Arab arsenal with its most sophisticated weapons, Moscow was directly responsible for the latest Middle East war. Rabbi Miller made similar remarks at an AZF national board meeting here yesterday.

Mrs. Charlotte Jacobson, chairman of the American section of the World Zionist Organization, said: “We’re, of course, pleased that a cease-fire has been arranged because it means the cessation of the killing and maiming of thousands of Israeli youths. What comes after the cease-fire remains to be negotiated. In the controversy over boundaries, Israel will rightly insist on boundaries that will guarantee its security against future attacks. But even above that, which makes face-to-face negotiations imperative, is the need to once and for all establish Arab recognition of Israel’s status as a nation. But once this is established and the Arab states renounce their announced intention of destroying Israel, then the matter of boundaries can be agreed upon through negotiations.”

In a statement issued today in Washington, the B’nai B’rith welcomed the cease-fire resolution but stressed its call for negotiations leading to peace rather than a mere settlement. Henry M. Blumberg, president of B’nai B’rith said, “It is gratifying that the successful American-Soviet initiative to halt the fighting also provides that Security Council Resolution 242 must apply in all its parts.” He said the U.S. and the USSR were to be commended for their joint effort to end the bloodshed and that “men of good will” support the cease-fire accord.

Elmer L. Winter, president of the American Jewish Committee, said that of almost equal significance with the cease-fire “is the link in the agreement that ties the cease-fire with movement toward direct negotiations.” He also noted that “We are mindful that the most generous U.S. support of Israel, to counter unbridled Soviet shipment of arms and equipment to the Arab aggressors, was responsible for getting this cease-fire initiative going. We are deeply grateful to the U.S. government for this, and know that such support of Israel will be made available when-ever necessary.”

Meanwhile as the Israel Bond Organization worked around the clock, seven days a week, national officers and leaders and chairmen of community campaigns volunteered to take a week off from their jobs or businesses in order to devote all their time to the sale of Israel Bonds. Sen. Henry M. Jackson (D.Wash.) told an Israel Bond emergency rally at Temple Emanu-El in Miami Friday that “Israel doesn’t need American troops or American intervention. She needs the tools by which to defend her borders” and the United States will provide those tools. Emphasizing the importance of aiding Israel’s economy at this critical time, Jackson said, “We must provide the resources that Israel so sorely needs” so that “tyranny and aggression” shall not prevail.