Fisher Says There Has Been No Change in Basic Principles of Nixon’s Mideast Policy

Max Fisher, President Nixon’s advisor on Jewish affairs and chairman of the United Jewish Appeal, said here today that there has been no change in the basic principles of Nixon’s Middle East policy of no imposed settlement and maintenance of the balance of power between Israel and her Arab foes. Fisher, here to attend the first Assembly of the reconstituted Jewish Agency which opens in Jerusalem tomorrow, had his last meeting with President Nixon two months ago. He refused to confirm or deny that he was carrying a letter from Nixon to Premier Golda Meir. He said he found Nixon “more sympathetic than anyone could expect” toward Israel, adding, “I can only wish Israel had some more friends like Nixon.” Asked by newsmen if the White House was acting on behalf of Soviet Jews, Fisher, who campaigned for Nixon in 1968 replied, “things are being done but I cannot speak about them.”

At a press conference in Jerusalem today, Jewish Agency chairman Louis Pincus said the Assembly would represent nearly 2.5 million Jews, the largest Jewish body ever set up. He said about 1.5 million consists of contributors to the various fund-raising appeals for Israel and another 900,000 represented the membership of the World Zionist Organization on the conclusion of the world-wide membership drive. Pincus stressed that for obvious reasons the 2.5 million did not include Israeli Jews or Jews from East European and other countries where the membership drive could not be conducted. He described the Jewish Agency’s activities, apart from fund-raising, as immigration, settlement, youth aliyah, social welfare, housing, health, absorption, agriculture and education. Pincus announced that Dr. Israel Goldstein would retire next week as chairman of the Keren Hayesod-United Israel Appeal, having reached the age of 75. He said the World Confederation of General Zionists has nominated Ezra Shapiro of Cleveland, Ohio as his successor.