Conference of Presidents and Azf Urge U.S. to Take Steps to Ensure Mideast Peace

Soviet and Egyptian violations of the standstill cease-fire have seriously impaired the prospects of achieving a lasting peace in the Middle East. Dr. William Wexler, chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations said today. He told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency “This defiance of the basic condition of the cease-fire again demonstrates the cynicism with which the Soviet and Egyptian governments have responded to the American peace initiative.” Declaring that there can hardly be “productive negotiations” towards a Middle East settlement if one side to the conflict deliberately and flagrantly violates the terms under which the negotiations are to begin. Dr. Wexler listed three steps the United States must take to ensure “the cause of world peace, the defence of vital American interests and the security of Israel’s people.” He said the United States should demand that prompt and vigorous steps be taken to remove the missile sites and other equipment brought into the Suez Canal area since the cease-fire; should expand its economic and military aid to Israel essential to maintain the balance of power in the Middle East; and should make it clear to all concerned that there can be no progress towards a “just and lasting” peace unless all parties to the conflict “scrupulously” respect the terms of the American initiative.

The American Zionist Federation today called upon President Nixon to provide Israel with all the economic and military aid essential to maintaining the balance of power in the Middle East that is required in the “mutual interests” of the United States and Israel. Declaring that it was disturbed by the violation of the standstill cease-fire by the Egyptians with Russian help, the Federation stated “We are at one with our government in the quest for a Middle East peace – but not for an illusion of peace while preparations for war continue.” The President has stated that America would not permit a situation to arise that would give the Soviet Union a predominance in the Middle East, the Federation said. “Now is the time for the President to speak up clearly to the Russians to cease fomenting further trouble in the Middle East and to take whatever steps are required to protect American own vital interests there.”