Dr. Neumann ‘grave Development’ It U.S. Joins Pressure for Israeli Withdrawal

Dr. Emanuel Neumann, president of the American Section of the Jewish Agency, said today that “disquieting intimations” in the press that the United States government may agree to a Four Power declaration pressing Israel to a total withdrawal from the territories occupied in the Six-Day War “would be a most serious departure from American policy.” He noted that the U.S. has “hitherto insisted upon free negotiations between the parties to the Middle East conflict in order to reach agreement on a peace settlement, including new boundaries.” Continuing, Dr. Neumann stated that “it is not surprising that the Egyptians should ardently seek the intervention of the Powers to bail them out of an uncomfortable situation – the result of their own ill-considered aggression.” Nor is it surprising, he stated, that the Soviet Union and France should continue their support of Egypt at Israel’s expense. “But for the United States to join this alliance of Israel’s enemies, would be a grave development – unwarranted and unthinkable,” Dr. Neumann declared. “America has been unwavering in its support of Israel and nothing has happened to justify a radical change of policy. I refuse to believe this will happen and look to President Nixon to set the disquieting rumors at rest by facing up to these pressures and adhering steadfastly to what has been until now, definite American policy.”