Gop Group is ‘sounding Board’

Richard Fox of Phil- adelphia, the newly elected chairman of the National Republican Jewish Coalition, said today that one of the roles of his organization will be to act as a “sounding board” between the Reagan Administration and the American Jewish community.

The coalition is part of the “continued efforts to help the Administration know and understand the goals of the American Jewish community and to help the community understand the policies of the Administration,” Fox said in a telephone interview with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

The 55-year-old Fox, who is an active supporter of President Reagan and also a Jewish community leader, was elected to the position last Sunday at a meeting in Washington. Serving with him will be Gordon Zachs of Columbus, Ohio, and George Klein of New York City, vice chairmen, and Max Fisher of Detroit, honorary chairman. Fox is a member of the executive committee of the Federation of Jewish Agencies of Greater Philadelphia.

The coalition, as explained by Fox, consists of some 60 Jewish activists who are also strong Republican supporters of Reagan. He said the coalition’s membership, which he will seek to enlarge, consists of broad based representation from throughout the country.

NO CONFLICT WITH JEWISH GROUPS

Fox said that as an organization with close ties to the Administration, he does not expect any conflict with the objectives of other national Jewish organizations. He noted that the coalition does not have exclusive representation of Jewish community interests.

“Our role is to help the Administration help the Jewish community and for the Jewish community to help the Administration,” Fox said. He added that one of the ways that this could be achieved is for the Administration and the Jewish community to remain cognizant of each others interests and concerns.

Fox pointed out however that the position of the coalition is developed through a consensus opinion of its membership and that despite its support of Reagan’s policies in the Middle East, Central America and domestic economic issues, this does not amount to a “blank check” for all Administration policies.

The coalition, he said, “is not a lobbying organization for the Administration.” He asserted that policies which are deemed either detrimental to the Jewish community or inappropriate to the community would be indicated to the Administration.

Fox said that he viewed the Administration’s policies toward the Middle East as “consistent” with “a step by step apprach” to the problems there. He also noted that the coalition “applauded” the efforts by Secretary of State George Shultz who last month successfully concluded the Israel-Lebanon agreement after two weeks of arduous shuttle diplomacy in the region.

COALITION WILL DISCUSS BROADER ISSUES

The coalition will also be concerned with broader issues, beyond the Middle East problems. Fox said, for example, that the coalition will issue a statement later this week supporting the Administration policies in Central America. The statement is expected to call on Congress to support the President’s policies there and also alert the Jewish community to among other things, the activities of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Sandinista government in Nicaragua.

Fox said he expects to have close contact with Reagan and the Administration although he could not predict what circumstances would precipitate sudden meetings between the coalition and the Administration. He said he, along with Zacks, Fisher and Klein, had a “cordial” meeting with the President last week.

Fox will not maintain the unofficial, unpaid post as Reagan’s advisor on Jewish affairs as did Albert Spiegel, the Los Angeles businessman and long time supporter and close friend of the President. Spiegel resigned last April from the unofficial position and as chairman of the coalition because of what some observers maintain was a result of his “frustration” over not having any input in Administration policy toward Israel.

BELIEVES REAGAN WILL RUN AGAIN

Fox said he had “no promise” that the coalition would have any input in policy decisions but said he would seek to have Reagan come to decisions that would be received in a positive light from the American Jewish community.

Reagan received an estimated 40 percent of Jewish votes in his 1980 Presidential election and Fox said that if the Republicans could match that kind of vote again in 1984, it would be a “significant accomplishment.” He said Jewish voters support in 1984 could be enhanced if Reagan is able to achieve a lasting peace in the Middle East.

While Reagan has not made any formal announcement of his intentions whether to seek re-election, Fox’s personal view is that “I would expect that he is going to run.”