Sisco: Israel Should Be Non-negotiable Tenet of U.S. Policy

Declaring that “the advancement of peace in the Middle East will create a historic opportunity for the Technion to play a crucial role in developing the technology, in elevating the economic infrastructure and in raising the general standard of living of the masses in the entire Middle Eastern area.” Joseph J. Sisco, former Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs and now president of American University, told the 400 persons attending the national dinner of the American Technion Society that there will be “a fresh opportunity in 1977 for the U.S. to take the lead in Middle East diplomacy.”

Speaking at the ATS dinner at the Pierre Hotel, Sisco expressed the belief that “support of Israel is, and should be, a non-negotiable tenet of American foreign policy.”

The dinner was held to support the Technion Israel Institute of Technology. Israel’s oldest and largest technological university, and drew many noted figures from the scientific, industrial, business and academic communities.

David Rose, a past president of the ATS, served as chairman of the dinner, which paid tribute to Henry Taub, president of the ATS as he completed his three-year term, and to Samuel Neaman, president-designate of the ATS, Neaman is a well-known philanthropist and founder of the Samuel Neaman Institute of Advanced Studies in Science and Technology at the Technion.

A highlight of the dinner was the reading of a letter from First Lady Betty Ford, who said, “the technical and medical skills taught at the Institute will touch the lives of many of our Israeli friends, and your commitment to Technion helps strengthen the ties of friendship and affection between our two countries. The President joins me in congratulating you on your concern for others and your interest in helping such a fine educational institution.”