Ambassador Yosef Tekoah of Israel today rejected the concept of “even-handedness” advanced last week by former Gov. William W. Scranton as a principle of American policy toward the Middle East. Addressing the annual dinner-dance of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Mr. Tekoah said, “There can be no even-handedness when the choice is between Israel’s simple demand for respect of its rights and the attempt by the Arab states to vindicate their own rights while vitiating Israel. Peace-loving governments cannot remain uncommitted in such a situation,” He said, “It is right to take sides under circumstances. It is right to strengthen Israel in its struggle for peace. It is right to give no encouragement and no solace to the Arab states in their hostility and extremism,” he said. The Ambassador did not mention Gov. Scranton by name.
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