No Equation Between American Commitment to Israel and Collapse of U.S. Policy in Indochina

There could be no equation between the United States commitment to the integrity of Israel and the collapse of American policies in Indochina. The United States would not significantly weaken its support of Israel both for reasons of self-interest and morality.

This assessment of U.S. policy was made here by R.J. Hawke, the president of the Australian Labor Party and the president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions in a strongly worded speech of support for Israel to mark the 27th anniversary of Israel’s independence. Hawke spoke at the main celebrations marking Yom Ha’atzmaut held at the Sydney Opera House and attended by Pinhas Sapir, chairman of the Jewish Agency.

Speaking to an audience of 3000, Hawke said that in the light of developments in Indochina a question had been raised about the possible weakening of American commitment to Israel, perhaps even to the point which could threaten Israel’s survival. The question had a particular relevance for Australians because they had for many years supported the U.S. role in Vietnam with an active involvement of troops and aid, Hawke said.

ISRAEL’S DIFFERENCE NOTED

While he had believed that the American and Australian intervention in Southeast Asia was wrong, and while there should have been no commitment to the succession of “corrupt and totally unrepresentative” regimes that were supported, Hawke said that he did not believe the disillusionment in the United States, which has followed ,the “inevitable collapse” of American policies would lead to a “pervasive despair.” Israel was the only parliamentary democracy amongst the disputants in the Middle East and this was a difference which Americans would continue to perceive.

Hawke is second only to the Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam, in having an influence on the Australian political scene. He has publicly differed with Whitlam who leads the Labor government in Canberra over Australia’s declared policy on “even-handedness and neutrality” towards the Middle East conflict. Most recently this difference was dramatized in an open clash over a planned visit of a PLO delegation to Australia. Last January, Whitlam said he regretted that the PLO delegation would not be admitted because of the storm of protest which had been raised. The protest drew its main strength from the outspoken opposition to the PLO voiced by Hawke.

In bringing greetings from Israel to the Independence Day celebrations, Sapir emphasized the importance of aliya as a factor in ensuring Israel’s ability to deter attack and defend itself, If on Israel’s 60th Independence Day celebrations it could be a nation of at least six million, this would make a “colossal difference,” Sapir said.