An American Jewish leader defended the Nixon administration’s position in the Middle East today. Philip E. Hoffman, president of the American Jewish Committee told a press conference here that the US shares Israel’s view that it must negotiate with the Arabs from a position of strength and said a decision on the shipment of more Phantoms to Israel could be expected before the end of the year. Hoffman is here with a five-member mission of the AJCommittee visiting Europe and Israel. Last Tuesday he met in Washington with Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Joseph J. Sisco.
Hoffman said he heard the American view that the supply of Phantoms to Israel might impair Washington’s role as “honest broker” in the Arab-Israeli dispute. However, he said he was convinced that America intends to honor its commitment to keep Israel strong. He said that after his delegation met Foreign Minister Abba Eban they were equally convinced that Israel will show more flexibility over an interim Suez agreement once the shipment of Phantoms is resumed. Hoffman said the Nixon administration does not feel there has been any erosion in its policies toward Israel. Washington still believes that the terms of a peace settlement can be fixed only by the two parties themselves, he said.
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