An American Zionist leader charged here today that the Carter Administration was trying to split American Jewry in its support of Israel. He spoke of attempts to “brain wash” certain American Jewish leaders, of hints of economic pressure and efforts to undermine the importance and standing of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
Jacques Torczyner, a past president of the Zionist Organization of America, who arrived in Israel yesterday, told reporters that the U.S. and Israel were in the midst of a “war of nerves.” He said he made that statement on the basis of his impressions and knowledge of the American scene. He said he was convinced that American Jewry will stand united behind Israel irrespective of who the next Prime. Minister will be.
Torczyner said that certain American Jewish leaders, whose names he would not divulge, were invited to the White House and others had talks with Zbigniew Brzezinski, chairman of the National Security Council, and were warned not to support an Israeli government that followed extremist policies. He claimed that the Carter Administration tried to convince these Jewish leaders that the Arabs were now moderate and that peace was within reach if only the Israeli government refrained from taking extreme positions.
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