Jewish Congress Urges U.S. to Re-examine Its Middle East Policy

Charging that “the failures of American policy in the Middle East have been frighteningly underscored by the events of the past few months, ” the executive committee of the American Jewish Congress at a meeting last night called on the United States Government to undertake a “fundamental reappraisal of American policy in the Middle East, however agonizing that reappraisal may be in some quarters.”

Re-examination of American policy, the American Jewish Congress urged, should be directed toward at least three ends: 1. The initiation of direct peace talks between Israel and the Arabs in the conflict “which has reached a point of acute danger. ” 2. The ending of Arab economic boycotts and blockades against Israel “which not only impair Israel growth and development but which thwart any advance in the living standards and economic progress of the whole region,” and 3. The launching of projects for the fullest utilization of the water, power and other resources of the area for the common benefit of all groups.

At the same time, the American Jewish Congress body declared that it welcomed the action of the American delegation to the United Nations in calling for a comprehensive review of the Israel-Arab conflict rather than confining Security Council action to a study of the charges and counter-charges relating to specific incidents.

The AJC urged that all shipments of American arms to the Arab states be suspended “while our policy is being reappraised. The Arab states have thus far shown neither inclination nor capacity to contribute to democracy’s defense,” the Congress statement asserted. “To furnish them with arms in the present context is not to buttress freedom’s strength but to intensify Arab intransigence and to pose further threats to Israel’s existence.”