Sir Douglas-home Deplores Treatment of Soviet Jews, Defends Harrogate Speech

Foreign Secretary Alec Douglas-Home stated in a letter released here today that the British government has made it clear to the Soviet Union that it deplores the treatment of Jews in the USSR. Sir Alec’s comments were contained in a letter to Jack Barnett, secretary general of the British section of the World Jewish Congress, in which he also defended his recent speech on the Middle East to Conservative Party leaders at Harrogate. Mr. Barnett had sent the Foreign Secretary copies of resolutions on Soviet Jewry and the Middle East adopted at the biennial conference of the British section of the WAC and asked for his comment. Sir Alec wrote. “The government has made plain the fact that they deplore violations of human rights and the denial of religious freedom wherever these occur.”

“These views,” Sir Alec continued.” which of course apply to the conditions of Soviet Jews, have repeatedly been stated at the United Nations by our representatives as well as to representatives of the Soviet Union.” Concerning his policy speech on the Middle East which aroused the ire of Israelis and pro-Israel circles here, the Foreign Secretary wrote: “I particularly mentioned the need for a just and lasting peace in the area and for secure and recognized boundaries, to which your resolution drew attention. I also referred to the importance of providing freedom of navigation in accordance with the Security Council resolution.” Sir Alec added that he still felt the need “for an agreement on the problem of Jerusalem as part of a settlement.” Israelis were incensed by parts of Sir Alec’s Harrogate speech in which he suggested that Israel return to its pre-June, 1967 boundaries and that the status of Jerusalem was still open for negotiation.