The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations urged the US government today to “act promptly to restore the balance of power in the Middle East by selling Israel the Phantom jets she desperately requires.” The appeal was contained in a statement by Dr. William A. Wexler, Conference chairman, extending a “warm welcome” to Premier Golda Meir of Israel.
Dr. Wexler said: “We urge administration support of legislation in Congress to provide Israel with the economic aid essential to her survival…We urge the administration to resume its efforts to help bring the parties together to the negotiation table without any prior conditions.”
The Presidents Conference expressed “deep gratitude” for “the forthright position adopted by 82 members of the US Senate and 249 members of the House of Representatives calling on the administration to furnish Israel with the Phantom jets and other military assistance, along with economic aid, which are necessary to prevent war in the Middle East.”
Dr. Wexler observed that Mrs. Meir arrived in the US “at a time of growing tension in the Middle East.” He added that “At this moment of grave threat to peace in the Middle East and danger to Israel, a united American Jewish community bids a warm welcome to Golda Meir and extends its support to her as she begins her round of talks” with American officials. Mrs. Meir will address a special meeting of the Presidents Conference here Dec. 6.
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