Israel’s operation in Lebanon has given the United States “a political victory of overwhelming proportions,” it was asserted here this weekend by Rabbi Alexander Schindler, president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.
Addressing the 100th anniversary meeting of Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom, Schindler declared that “the positive benefits of the Lebanese war to America and to the possibilities of Middle East peace and stability should not be obscured by the tragedy that occurred in the refugee camps of Sabra and Shatila.” He listed five direct results of Israel’s entry into Lebanon that he said were reasons why “the United States owes Israel a tremendous debt.” They were:
“American influence in the Middle East is at an all-time high, and Soviet influence correspondingly low; Lebanon has been given the opportunity to establish its sovereign independence and serve as a center of stability in the area; the PLO, center of international terrorism and Soviet puppet, has been crushed; Jordan is now seeking ways to come to the peace table; priceless information on captured Soviet weapons is being freely given by Israel to our country.”
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