Speaker of the House Joseph W. Martin Jr., today issued a statement differing with the views of the American Council for Judaism. He said that a greeting he sent the Council’s recent Philadelphia convention “in no way implies any change of attitude on my part toward the State of Israel. “
Rep. Martin said his record favoring “the Jewish National State is clear and should be convincing. ” He recalled that he has been a member of Congress for 30 years and for all this period has been “a vigorous supporter of the Jewish National Homeland.” The communication sent the Council for Judaism, he explained, was a form greeting intended only as a courtesy to a group assembled for a convention.
“I have consistently supported measures for the advancement of Israel as a cause in which I conscientiously believe, ” said Rep. Martin. He added that on a recent visit to Israel he was “happy to observe the excellent progress of this new nation and to obtain first hand knowledge of the fact that my faith in Israel as a free and independent land has been amply justified.”
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