Jewish Leaders Laud Rockefeller

Jewish leaders greeted with enthusiasm the nomination today of Nelson A. Rockefeller as Vice-President. Rabbi Israel Miller, chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations told a press conference sponsored by his organization that Rockefeller has cordial and friendly relations with the American Jewish community and Israel, and expressed the hope that these would continue. Noting that Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger has worked with Rockefeller, Rabbi Miller expressed the view that a continuity of foreign policy is expected to be implemented by the Vice-President designate.

Rabbi Joseph P. Sternstein president of the Zionist Organization of America, in lauding the nomination, cited Rockefeller’s “life-long support for the cause of Zionism,” his “genuine understanding for Israel’s needs,” and “consistent and outstanding efforts to ensure Israel’s welfare and security.” Rabbi Sternstein expressed the hope that during Rockefeller’s term as Vice-President, “the de facto alliance between our nation and Israel will be strengthened,” and that the U.S. government “will continue to insist that all Middle East negotiations must be based on the genuine intent of all parties concerned to seek real and lasting peace.”

The nomination was also lauded by Agudath Israel as “a wise step in helping bring the American nation together again.” Rabbi Moshe Sherer, executive president, called the nominee “a man of unimpeachable integrity and endowed with a sense of goodwill towards all people.” Citing Rockefeller’s record as New York governor, the Orthodox Jewish leader added that the nominee “has a proven record of commitment to all causes dear to the heart of the Jewish community.”