Calls for new and vigorous United States initiatives in the Middle East were made yesterday before the Democratic National Platform Committee by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and the American Jewish Committee.
Mrs. Mortimer Jacobson, a member of the American Israel group’s executive committee, asked the Democratic Party to urge new steps for achieving peace in the Middle East. Irving M. Engel, honorary president of the American Jewish Committee, also urged that the United States seek means to end the arms race in the Middle East. Mr. Engel’s statement also was being submitted to the Republican Party’s platform committee.
Mrs. Jacobson urged continued United States economic aid to Israel and the Arab countries, full adherence to the United States policy of preserving the independence and integrity of all Middle East nations and efforts to halt Soviet arms shipments to the area.
Mr. Engel recommended policy planks on the human rights situation in the Middle East, South America and the United Nations. He urged the United States to intensify efforts to end United Arab Republic discrimination against any country in use of the Suez Canal and to cease its acquiescence in discriminatory practices by Arab countries against American business and shipping activities. He urged the Democratic Party to include in its platform the proposal of UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold that solution of the Arab refugee problem lies in comprehensive Middle East regional economic and social development.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
