Defense Minister Ezer Weizman fervently defended his voiced support of President Carter before today’s session of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee. He noted that Carter had done much for the Jewish State during his three years in office.
“I do not know Edward Kennedy,” said Weizman, “but I do know Jimmy Carter and he has done much for Israel and for peace in the region. What, in turn, has Edward Kennedy done?”
Weizman’s remarks were met with anger by some committee members. Labor MK Yossi Sarid jeered at him, saying, “You have become the most spoiled politician in Israel.” He accused Weizman of putting Israel on the spot by such statements.
Weizman’s praise for Carter caused Rabbi Alexander Schindler, president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, to send a telegram to Premier Menachem Begin yesterday demanding that the Defense Minister be reprimanded. Schindler urged all Israeli officials to remain neutral during the U.S. presidential campaign.
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