American Zionist Body Reports on Goal in Election Campaign

The major Zionist goal in the current political campaign is to strengthen American policy in the Near East by winning support for a vigorous program for Israel from as many candidates of both political parties as possible, the American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs reported here today.

Stressing the traditional non-partisan attitude of the Zionist movement, the Committee expresses satisfaction over the agreement on Israel’s independence and security slated in the Near East planks of the Republican and Democratic parties. It noted that Israel has gained strength in recent weeks and that there has been a change in U.S. policy. To the constituents of the Committee, it recommends the following course of action:

“Both platform declarations should be emphasized in the current campaigns. All candidates for the United States Senate and the House of Representatives should be visited by community leaders within the next few weeks.

“There should be a thorough discussion of the current situation in the Near East. Each candidate should be requested to issue a public statement affirming his support of his own party’s declaration on Near East policy. Republican candidates should be urged to amplify their statement by outlining their views on the best way to implement the party’s commitment to ‘support the independence of Israel against armed aggression.”

Rabbi Philip S. Bernstein is chairman and I. L. Kenen is executive director of the American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs. The Committee conducts public action, bearing upon relations with governmental authorities with a view to maintaining and in proving friendship and good will between the United States and Israel.