Sen. Richard Stone (D. Fla.) declared last night that there was no erosion of support for Israel in Congress. “I don’t find any erosion of support for Israel nor any grousing in the Senate because of our aid.” he told some 1500 delegates attending the opening session of the ninth annual Histadrut Economic Conference for Israel, sponsored by the Israel Histadrut Foundation.
Stone, who took office last month after being the first Jew elected to the Senate from Florida since the Civil War, said the recent remarks by Sen. Charles H. Percy (R. III.) about Israel were not an indication of erosion. “One statement by one Senator is no indication of erosion,” he said.
“The United States public and its representatives in government realize that we are all in the same boat,” Stone declared. “Those who gouge us for oil mean us no good. For the United States to allow erosion of support for Israel would mean appeasement. Our country should follow the example of courage shown by Israel, and the oil weapon will recede and this country will recover.” The four-day conference celebrates the 15th anniversary of the Israel Histadrut Foundation and the attainment of the $36 million mark in donations.
Dr. Sol Stein, president of the Foundation, noted that by raising $36 million from nearly 2300 individuals the Foundation was proof “that people of modest means can have a charitable foundation of their own just like the big money people.”
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