Dr. William A. Wexler, president of B’nai B’rith, warned today that the United States must not permit the Soviet Union to take advantage of a “military or political vacuum” in the Middle East. Addressing the annual convention here of B’nai B’rith District Four. Dr. Wexler said the American initiative for a Middle East settlement must be bolstered by a “firm and resolute” American policy to roll back the Soviet Union’s efforts to dominate the area. Dr. Werder claimed that “The totality of American national interest is inextricably bound to the survival of Israel.” The U.S. initiative, he cautioned, must guard against actions which could “legitimize the aggressive military presence of the Soviet Union.” The B’nai B’rith leader said he was satisfied with President Nixon’s assurances to Israel that there would be no military build-up by the Arabs during the 90-day cease-fire. But he warned that the temporary truce “can create the impression that the unlimited cease-fire which Egypt and other Arab states have repudiated, is a dead issue.” This, he contended, could give sanction “in the public mind” to any resumption by Nasser of his “war of attrition” when the 90-day period ends.
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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.
