Dr. Wexier: Immediate U.S. Arms to Israel; Dulczin: Russians in Mideast Threat to World

The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations called on the Nixon administration today to sell Israel jets and other arms in response to the “direct involvement” of the Soviet Union in stepping up the Middle East war. Dr. William A. Wexler, chairman of the group, condemned the Soviet Union for “provocative action” in installing a network of missile bases in Egypt, dispatching thousands of troops there and “sending planes and pilots to fly operational missions in Egypt.” He claimed that the USSR had thereby created a “dramatic change” in the military balance in the Middle East.

“By this action, the Soviets have not only hardened the Arab refusal to make peace but have provided the military force necessary for Egypt to undertake intensified operations,” Dr. Wexler said. “Our government’s pledge that it will be in a position to supply additional aircraft and other supplies to Israel if the situation requires, should be redeemed now,” Dr. Wexler said. He observed that the Presidents Conference was “gratified” by President Nixon’s order of an immediate and full review of intelligence reports of growing Soviet involvement in the Middle East. “We trust that an early decision to sell Israel the defense material she has requested will be forthcoming,” Dr. Wexler said.

Leon Dulczin, treasurer of the Jewish Agency and Minister-Without-Portfolio in Israel’s Cabinet, said today that President Nasser’s answer to the “indisputable” Israel charge that Russian pilots are now operating actively in Egypt was “a Machiavellian ploy to evade the issue by neither denying nor confirming it.” He warned “the government and people of the United States not to underestimate this immediate development.” Mr. Dulczin, here on a three week speaking tour for the United Jewish Appeal of New York, said that “The escalation of the war in the Middle East by the Russians represents a threat not only to Israel, but to the rest of the free world. Israel is not asking for soldiers, or for personal sacrifices, but for sufficient arms so that we can continue to defend ourselves. For Israel this is not a fight over borders or territories, but for the very right to existence and peace.”