Pro-israel Lobby in U.S. Depicted As Powerhouse Influencing Many Groups

A pervasive, potent, highly effective pro-Israel lobby, centered in the Israel Embassy in Washington and embracing “scores of Jewish organizations, which have large amounts of manpower, money and zeal,” was depicted in the New York Times today in a report from Washington by Robert H. Phelps. The report noted, in contrast, that the “pro-Arab lobby…is much smaller and weaker.” Mr. Phelps said a subject of debate was “whether the influence of the Israeli Government amounts to control of some American Jewish organizations” and whether Israel is indulging in political activities in this country, specifically prohibited by the terms of its 1952 treaty of friendship with the U.S.

Mr. Phelps cited a Jewish Telegraphic Agency dispatch as “some evidence” that the anti-Pompidou demonstrations in this country last February were inspired by the Israel Government. The dispatch from Jerusalem, dated Jan. 18, reported that the Israel Cabinet had been informed that some American-Jewish organizations planned to demonstrate against the French President when he visited the U.S. According to Mr. Phelps the first article published in the U.S. concerning possible anti-Pompidou demonstrations did not appear until two weeks later. The Times reported that “The pro-Israel lobby utilizes a complex of devices, ranging from knowledge of how to make maximum use of the American press to political pressure through Congress to secret exchanges of military intelligence.” It said the Israel Embassy, considered the best run in Washington, “is dedicated to the single-minded purpose of winning maximum American support.” According to Mr. Phelps, “On the Arab side, the embassies are understaffed and generally do not understand the American mind; the old line Arbalests in the State Department are still there but have been outflanked; American scholars and religious groups with Middle East ties continue to speak, but their audiences are small.”

Some observers here expressed surprise today over the Times story and wondered what had inspired it. Though on the surface it is highly flattering to the proficiency and dedication of Israel sympathizers, some observers expressed the view that it could produce adverse reactions by drawing the image of a pro-Israel monolith with vast influence and political power. Mr. Phelps depicted the Arab lobby as sadly lacking in wide appeal and Congressional support. According to his report, pro-Arab sympathies are found chiefly among oil companies, air lines, shipping lines and other firms with Mideast financial interests and among a few powerful bankers, such as David Rockefeller, chairman of Chase Manhattan; John J. McCloy ex-president of Chase Manhattan, and former Secretary of the Treasury, Robert B. Anderson. While these are powerful men with easy access to the top levels of Government, they can do little more than argue for a more even-handed policy in the Mideast, Mr. Phelps said. The Israelis “bargain with the fruits of their world renowned intelligence system,” Mr. Phelps wrote. “There are the Russian-built radar station captured from Egypt, MIG engines and other equipment that the American military is eager to examine. Beyond that, however, the American Central Intelligence Agency knows that the Israeli network of informers extends through Eastern Europe, deep into Russia and over South America.”

REPORT CLAIMS NIXON SOUGHT ISRAEL EMBASSY HELP; JEWISH VOTE VITAL TO CONGRESSMEN

Mr. Phelps reported that “The Administration and many politicians believe that the Israelis do exert effective control over some American Zionists.” He claimed that in February, when President Nixon became concerned over demonstrations against President Pompidou, the Israel Embassy was contacted and, in turn, contacted American Jewish leaders. “An Administration official was asked whether it was not strange for the United States Government to call a foreign embassy to ask for help to control American citizens. He replied: ‘The question is naive,'” Mr. Phelps reported. “Almost all American Jewish groups are sympathetic to Israel, although there are varying attitudes toward Zionism–the movement supporting Israel as a spiritual and cultural homeland for Jews,” Mr. Phelps wrote. “The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a lobbying group financed by contributions from individuals, is a down-the-line supporter of Israel.” Mr. Phelps described its chairman, I L. Kenen, as a man who registered as a foreign agent for the Israel Government until 1951. “The power of Mr. Kenen’s organization lies in the political impact of the 5.8 million Jews in the United States. Their vote is significant in four big states–New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois and California. In addition, Jewish campaign contributions are vital to Congressional, state and local as well as Presidential candidates.”

Mr. Phelps said that because the bulk of the Jewish vote has been Democratic, President Nixon has been subject to less pressure from that direction, but that the Republican National Committee is working hard to get a bigger slice of the Jewish vote. “Jewish political power impels most Senators and Representatives to take a pro-Israel stand,” he wrote. Mr. Phelps said that Max Fischer, a national Jewish leader who has contributed heavily to the Republican Party, got one of the first copies of the Nixon Administration’s statement turning down Israel’s request for more jets. “His mission: to explain to Jewish leaders around the country that the President had based his decision on Israel’s intelligence reports showing continued Israeli military superiority over Arab enemies and to assure them that Israel would get more planes when really needed.” The response to the jet sale rejection was thus muted, Mr. Phelps said, adding that “The fact that Mr. Nixon, like other Presidents, finds it necessary to take such preventive action is a tribute to the pro-Israel lobby, one of the most potent in the Washington sub-government.”