Nicholas von Hoffman, the syndicated newspaper columnist and television and radio commentator on current events whose views have frequently been characterized as intemperate and acerbic, delivered a no-holds barred attack on Israel and a fawning adulation of Saudi Arabia on a recent program of CBS Radio Network “Spectrum” produced under the supervision of CBS News.
“During the campaign President Carter promised that, if elected, there was nothing he wouldn’t do for Israel. That’s one campaign promise he might think about going back on,” von Hoffman said Jan. 29. “There are a number of reasons, the first of which is oil.”
In a slick attempt to deal with the energy shortage, the increased cost of fuel, talk about energy independence or cutting back on energy use, von Hoffman called attention to the need for the American people “to be very grateful to the Saudi Arabians who have busted the price of oil down for us. In return the Saudis have indicated they wish us to use our good offices to bring peace in the Middle East–which isn’t going to happen until we make it clear to Israel that in the next war over there, they are on their own, that we will help in getting a permanent peace, but no more shooting–by anyone.”
SAYS ISRAEL IS MAJOR OBSTACLE
In a survey of the Middle East situation, the columnist-commentator noted that in addition to the Saudis helping the U.S. on oil. Egypt has kicked the Russians out and has indicated that it wants to be America’s friend. Syria has tamed the Palestinians and the Jordanians have done likewise. Israel, therefore, he asserts, “is no longer confronted with an unchecked and unchained Palestinian army egged on by other Arab nations.”
“In short,” the columnist-commentator turned historian-diplomat stated, the prospects “for a reasonable peace have never looked better from the standpoint of the Arabs’ willingness to compromise. The major obstacle is Israel, a country whose domestic political situation seems to prevent it making peace. Only an American warning that arms and credits will be shut off can push the Israelis to the negotiating table, and this is Nicholas von Hoffman with Spectrum, hoping Mr. Carter will break his campaign promise and start cooking with a little Saudi Arabian gas.”
“Spectrum” is described by CBS Radio as a program presenting “varying shades of personal opinion on current issues.” A number of persons who heard von Hoffman’s commentary told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency they were protesting against what some described as a “diatribe” and “a noxious infestation of our ecology.”
A spokesman for “Spectrum” confirmed that responses from the Jewish community have been negative but that comments from other communities have been favorable. Asked if the program would provide either equal time or fair time to answer von Hoffman, the spokesman said “we don’t feel von Hoffman said anything that would warrant this. Since we began six years ago many favorable things have been said about Israel on this program.” Von Hoffman has been a commentator on the program since its inception, he added. (By Murray Zuckoff)
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