The sixth annual national policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee opened here today with a call by its chairman, Rabbi Philip S. Bernstein, for American arms to Israel to deter Arab aggression.
Rabbi Bernstein cited the Arab attacks on Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba, because he proposed settlement with Israel, as renewed evidence of Arab intemperance and hatred. He said that AIPAC has supported United States economic aid to both Israel and the Arab states but was opposed to misuse of this aid for aggressive purposes.
Referring to the Egyptian response to President Bourguiba’s peaceful suggestions, he said that a weak Israel would invite aggression and that the dominant Arab leadership is animated by blind hatred of Israel. He urged the U.S. Government to make clear to the Arabs that diversion of the headwaters of the Jordan River would be regarded as an act of aggression. Rabbi Bernstein was reelected chairman of the AIPAC and I. L. Kenen was reelected executive director.
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