Three members of the Democratic Party’s Platform Committee today backed a strong pro-Israel plank which they urged for adoption by their party’s national convention. The Platform Committee opened its hearings in Washington today, preparing to draft the planks on which the entire convention is to vote next week, at Atlantic City.
Speaking up for a strong pro-Israel policy by the Democratic Party were Congressman Emanuel Celler, of New York, who is chairman of the House Judiciary Committee; John E. Powers, of Massachusetts; and Rep. Harris B. McDowell, of Delaware, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Mr. Celler spoke after testimony regarding a firm United States stand on Arab-Israel issues had been presented to the committee by I. L. Kenen, executive director of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Mr. Celler not only backed Mr. Kenen’s proposed platform plank, but also suggested that the United States advance loans to Israel to finance acquisition of arms, in view of the Soviet Union’s continued supply of arms to Egypt.
Mr. Powers, pointing out that he was not a Jew, expressed agreement regarding adoption of a pro-Israel plank. Telling the committee that he visited Israel last year, he stated that Israel must be supported because it is “the only friend we have in the Middle East.” Rep. McDowell spoke up after the committee had heard anti-Israeli testimony from Harold B. Minor, former United States Ambassador to Lebanon, and a former official of the State Department. Appearing on behalf of the Citizens Committee on American Policy in the Middle East, Mr. Minor alleged that “minority groups” exert “pressure” relating to U. S. policy on the Near East, and voiced regret that “preferential treatment” is allegedly given to Israel.
Calling for a “pro-American policy,” Mr. Minor requested elimination of the proposed pro-Israel plank, questioned Israel’s water development program, which the Arab states are opposing, and called for a program that would “repatriate” the Arab refugees, letting them “return” to Israel, and grant them compensation from the Israel Government.
Mr. McDowell took sharp exception with Mr. Minor’s presentation. He told Mr. Minor that the American public and its elected representatives would be “remiss in their responsibilities as citizens” if they did not concern themselves with foreign policy. He affirmed that he disagreed with Mr. Minor’s testimony when the latter had said that Americans had “no business getting involved in drafting platforms bearing on foreign policy matters.” He insisted that “Near Eastern peace is a vital concern for all Americans.” A Hear Eastern plank is important, he declared, “because the Democratic Party is the majority party, reflecting the present Administration.”
KENEN PRAISES ADMINISTRATION; LISTS SPECIFIC PROPOSALS
In his testimony, Mr. Kenen said it was necessary to reaffirm and strengthen the Democratic Party’s 1960 platform because of the growing danger of Arab aggression. He told the committee that President Nasser of Egypt had recently threatened war against Israel, and is continuing to receive Soviet weapons. He praised the 1960 Democratic plank on the Near East and said the Administration had taken concrete measures to implement it.
“The Administration,” he said, “has acted to deter aggression in the Near East. It has stimulated development to raise living standards; it has helped to maintain the arms balance; it has worked to end boycotts and blockades. The United States has made gains in the Near East in the effort to win the friendship and understanding of the various peoples of the region. The relationship between the United States and Israel has been further consolidated and has reached a new level of understanding.”
Mr. Kenen urged inclusion in the platform of these points: Support for President Johnson’s recent commitment to oppose aggression in the Near East; Continuing economic aid to Israel and the Arab states to help raise living standards; Steps to prevent an arms race and to prevent a military imbalance resulting from Soviet arms shipments; Support of American businessmen in their resistance to the Arab boycott; Unrestricted use of the Suez Canal; Support for the Eric Johnston plan to divide the waters of the Jordan-Yarmuk water system; Commendation of President Johnson’s plans for the joint U. S. -Israel program for the desalination of water; Resettlement of Arab refugees in lands where there is room and opportunity for them; and Encouragement of direct Arab-Israel peace negotiations.
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