ZOA Urges Nixon to Take Positive and Firm Position Against Soviet Threats in Mideast

The head of the Zionist Organization of America today voiced great concern over the Soviet threat in the Middle East and urged President Nixon to take “a firm and positive position against the Soviet threat.” Jacques Torczyner, president of the ZOA expressed confidence in Nixon’s order last week for an immediate full evaluation of the tense situation in the Middle East. Mr. Torczyner said the massive Soviet military build-up and the fact that Russians were flying planes in Egypt “has introduced into the Middle East, step by step, a dangerous threat to world peace.” He added: “We urge our government to take a firm and positive position against the Soviet threat, not only to the security of Israel but to the basic interests of the U.S. in the Middle East, and indeed, to world peace.”