Most American Jews Support Israel’s Peace Policy, Shamir Says Upon Return

Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir, returning Friday from his visit to the United States, claimed that most American Jews support his peace policies.

He was enthusiastically seconded in that view by Seymour Reich, chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, who held a news conference in Jerusalem last Thursday.

Shamir told reporters at Ben-Gurion Airport that “the dissenters are a voluble minority.”

He was referring to the 41 prominent American Jews who signed a letter to him asserting that there are “profound differences” in the American Jewish community over the policies he is pursuing.

The letter was presented to Shamir on Nov. 16, hours before he addressed the largest annual gathering of Jewish leaders in North America, the 58th General Assembly of the Coucil of Jewish Federations in Cincinnati.

Reich said “the overwhelming majority” of the American Jewish community backs Israel’s policies.

He characterized Shamir’s Nov. 15 talk at the White House with President Bush as “frank and warm,” saying the president reaffirmed the strong alliance between the United States and Israel.

Also, according to Reich, the visit clarified any doubts Bush may have had about the Israeli government’s commitment to the peace process. He implied that the administration considers the next move up to the Palestinians.

CLARIFYING SOUTH AFRICA POLICY

Reich maintained that Shamir’s visit helped clear the air with respect to Israeli ties with South Africa, a matter of concern in Washington and in the American Jewish community.

He said that while Israel’s commitment not to renew contracts with South Africa after they expire in 1992 may not satisfy those who demand an immediate break, Shamir’s assurances had a positive effect.

Malcolm Hoenlein, executive director of the Conference of Presidents, cited in that connection the softening of a motion on the subject by the Congressional Black Caucus, which he said made it “more supportive” of Israel.

Shamir met with the caucus in a closed-door session on Nov. 16.

Reich told the news conference here that Bush had “shared his concern” with Shamir about alleged human rights violations by Israeli security forces in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

In an Israel Television interview, Reich indicated some concern over the tardiness of responses by Israeli officials to allegations of human rights violations. He said Israel’s friends abroad need fast, accurate information to ward off hostile attacks.

Reich also said the Conference of Presidents is carefully following events in East Germany. Although the conference has taken no official stand on the opening of the Berlin Wall and the rush toward liberalization, there is concern over talk of the reunification of Germany, he said.

He stressed that the level of U.S. assistance to Israel is “not being debated” in the context of a general easing of world tensions.

The United States would “never let Israel fall behind” and would “always make sure that Israel has sufficient defense forces,” Reich said.