Nixon’s Order to Withhold Public Criticism of Israel Violated by Rogers

President Richard M. Nixon’s order to the administration, particularly the State Department, not to make any adverse statements in public about Israel’s unwillingness to make a total withdrawal from Egyptian territory, was violated by Secretary of State William P. Rogers, according to a well informed source. Although Nixon took no action against Rogers, the order continues in effect. It was learned here that Nixon is determined not to exert any pressure on Israel and also to avoid any actions or statements that could be interpreted as pressure. (In Washington, this was confirmed today. See separate story.) The violation by Rogers referred to his statement that Israel’s security does not depend on geography. Nixon, it was also learned, has in addition given orders to continue the sale of military equipment to Israel. However, he continues to hold the view that Israel should make a total withdrawal and accept a military guarantee from the U.S. for her security. Israeli diplomats, in conversations with American diplomats, have pointed out that guarantees have a way of being ignored when the time came for action. In view of this, American diplomats have been hinting that they would be willing to extend the meaning and applicability of such a guarantee to a very large extent in an attempt to overcome Israel’s hesitations.

Although the word “alliance” was not used by the Americans, Israeli diplomats believe that this is what they mean and that the U.S. would like to probe Israel’s reaction to the idea without committing herself. However, Nixon has instructed his officials to launch a public information campaign in order to convince the American public that Israel would be wise to accept his offer of a military guarantee in exchange for a withdrawal. This campaign is already underway although there is no apparent hurry. The U.S. is reportedly worried about the development of the situation after the forthcoming Congress of the Soviet Communist Party. Until then, they believe, the Soviet Union will continue to put the brakes on Egypt’s war machine. Afterwards, the fighting may break out again. President Anwar Sadat, it is learned, received the army’s assent to the continuation of the factual cease-fire for one further attempt to get Israel to withdraw. When Israel still refused to go back to the lines of June 4, 1967, Sadat was forced to give in. The U.S., it is learned by reliable quarters, is now trying to make Sadat desist from his threat to resume the war. As far as Israel is concerned, she would now, in the opinion of her experts, be able to conduct a war even for an extended period under conditions of total boycott and siege.