Sen. Charles Percy (R.III.) charged yesterday that the U.S. team negotiating new landing rights for Israel’s El Al air line in the U.S. is “freezing out” public and civic American interests by refusing to grant El Al more than one or two additional landing sites in this country.
“This is hardly the proper way of treating a trusted friend and ally whom we economically assist in a number of ways,” the Senator said. “Why not hard-earned trade instead of that much more economic aid?” he asked. The U.S.-Israeli negotiations opened at the State Department this week and may be resumed next month in Jerusalem. “The Israeli initiatives appear to be eminently reasonable and should be warmly received by the U.S.” government, Percy said with respect to the additional landing rights. EI AI, which presently flies only to New York, seeks access to Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago and Boston and eventually to other American cities. It is also prepared to offer charter flights from all 50 states.
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