Goldmann Lauds Aims, Scores Methods of U.S. Middle East Policy

Dr. Nahum Goldmann, chairman of the Jewish Agency, told a conference of national Jewish organizations here last night that all free people agree “with the basic aims of American policy in the Middle East,” but that the methods by which this policy is being implemented “ignore Israel as though she were geographically elsewhere.”

This policy, he said, jeopardized American interests and endangered regional peace. Dr. Goldmann referred specifically to the unilateral arming of the Arab states and growing diplomatic isolation of Israel.

Addressing more than 500 delegates at the opening session of the nation-wide conference of major American Jewish organizations and Jewish community leaders, Dr. Goldmann said the one-sided arming of the Arabs and simultaneous exclusion of Israel from regional defense arrangements constitute “de facto withdrawal of recognition from Israel and denial of its existence, ” while encouraging Arab extremists. Israel-Arab frontier clashes, he said, are symptomatic of a condition brought about by the Arabs’ refusal to accept Israel as an equal and sovereign state in the Near East.

ADMINISTRATION, FRIENDS OF ISRAEL AGREE ON POLICY

Dr. Goldmann, who spoke before an audience that included Assistant Secretary of State George V. Allen, pointed out that there is no disagreement between Israel’s friends and the Administration “over the two basic principles of American Near East policy, these being, the need for bringing the Near East into the defensive orbit of the Western world, and for gaining the confidence of the Arab world, twin purposes, neither of which can be achieved without the other.”

Dr. Goldmann said U.S. policy, in that it excluded Israel from regional defensive planning “implies a de facts withdrawal of recognition from Israel and a denial of its existence. ” He pointed out that Israel is the only country in the Near East and anywhere in the world without a single defense agreement or defense alliance.

“Need I tell you,” he said, “the psychological and political effect upon Israel as she watches the whole area being organized and coordinated, flattered and cajoled, courted, wooed and chased, while she alone is treated as though she were not there, a mere figment of the imagination#” He said the Arab extremists “have been watching the effects of these American methods in the Near East with profound, although suppressed gratification.” He insisted the odds were piling up in favor of the Arabs and balance of power moving to the detriment of Israel.

The present methods of American policy in the Middle East reminded Dr. Goldmann of “the shortsighted and fatal policy of the Western Powers towards Hiller’s open threat to annihilate the Jews, subjugate Europe and conquer the world.”

He added that he did not believe that “the main reason for the deterioration of Israel’s political situation is due to a change of Administration in Washington or to a radical departure by this Administration from past American policy toward Israel.” He scored the “simple approach” of blaming “one person, one set of officials, unparticular Administration” as the “most irrational and most unfair manner of considering difficult matters.” He said he hoped that reevaluation of American policy in the Near East would not revise the basic aims of that policy but would revise its methods of application.

Philip M. Klutznick, president of B’nai B’rith, who presided at the session, said that “it should be abundantly clear to everyone, that we meet in the interest of America. What we want, no less than these who are in official status, is that the policy of our government and its execution serve the great moral purpose and best interest of our nation.”