Nixon Administration Denies It Has Written off Jewish Vote

The White House has assured a local Jewish community leader that the Nixon Administration has not “written off the Jewish vote.” Kenneth Bronson, president of the Washtenaw County Jewish Community Council made public a letter he received from Harry D.Dent, special counsel to President Nixon. It was a reply to a letter Mr. Bronson wrote to the President expressing concern that his Administration’s attitude toward Israel had changed in disregard of the sentiments of American Jewish voters. Mr. Dent blamed “totally inaccurate reports by various members of the media” for creating such an impression. “To a certain extent, I expect that Secretary (of State William P.) Rogers’ statement on this matter has somewhat clarified the misimpression that the media have created.” Mr. Dent’s letter said.

“I would like to assure you,” the White House aide wrote, “that this administration is by no means writing off the Jewish vote, as you put it. Any member of the press who makes such a charge is totally irresponsible and doing a great disservice to the administration and to the American people.” Mr. Bronson also released a letter from Rogers C.B. Morton, Republican National Committee chairman to whom he had sent a copy of his letter to President Nixon. Mr. Morton too blamed “a number of political columnists’ interpretations of our government’s relations with Israel.” He said, “I believe the U.S. government will stand firmly by its pledge of security” to Israel. Both messages were released in this week’s issue of The Detroit Jewish News.