Sen, Jacob K. Javits said today that President Nixon differed with the State Department in his approach to Israel in the Middle East conflict. The President “has been excellent,” the New York Republican told a panel of newsmen on the CBS program “Face the Nation” but the State Department has been “nudging too hard.” Sen. Javits, a member of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, praised the President for taking a “strong stand” on the Middle East. On the other hand, he said, the attitude of the State Dept. was “let’s wrap it up and get it over with for Arab paper promises.” Javits noted that the President makes the final foreign policy decisions. He was not asked and did not comment on President Nixon’s continued support of the Rogers Plan. He implied however that pressure was being exerted on Israel on territorial matters. He said the U.S. was putting Israel in a position where it must accept withdrawal from the Sinai “or else.” He said, “We not only ask them to reply but what we want them to reply.” He said, “We should reassure Israel that we are keeping our shirts on and that she is under no pressure or arm-twisting.” He said, “We should be more understanding of Israel’s position and history,” adding, “not that Mrs. Meir will get all she asks.”
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