Dr. Joachim Prinz, chairman of the governing council of the World Jewish Congress, expressed disagreement today with the recent statements by WJC president Dr. Nahum Goldmann that Israel is attracting increasing support from rightist groups. In an interview with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Dr. Prinz labeled the allegations “lacking in clarity and substantiation.” noting that the neo-Nazi National Democratic party in Germany is “violently opposed to Israel.” Dr. Goldmann, writing in the April issue of Foreign Affairs Quarterly, had asserted that one “negative consequence of (the) permanent state of war” in the Middle East was that “in many parts of the world it is the reactionary, nationalistic groups which have become the sponsors and admirers of Israel, whereas large parts of the progressive world have become disappointed and antagonistic to Israel.” Dr. Prinz noted that “progressive elements,” including anti-war protesters and civil rights activists, have been solidly pro-Israel.
Dr. Prinz disclosed a cable, just received from Dr. Goldmann in Jerusalem, stating: “My article in Foreign Affairs, as well as a series of articles now being published by me in Haaretz, are the expression of my personal opinion. The WJC position, as confirmed by its recent executive committee meeting in Tel Aviv, is unreserved support for Israel, whose government alone is responsible for its foreign policies. I have always fully accepted and continue to accept this position. The WJC comprises Jewish groups, agencies and communities from all over the world holding different opinions, and it has therefore never taken a position on Israel’s foreign policy.” Dr. Prinz described as “frightening” the pro-war, pro-Israel rally in Washington on Saturday. Dr. Prinz said Mr. McIntire was merely a “peripheral figure” who did not represent conservative American thought. He re-emphasized that he did not think the “reactionary forces of the world” were rallying behind Israel.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
