Azf Hopes Sisco Visit Will Presage Arms for Israel

The American Zionist Federation expressed hope today that Assistant Secretary of State Joseph J. Sisco’s forthcoming visit to Israel will result in an agreement leading to a firm commitment by the United States to supply Israel with Phantom jets and other military equipment. Rabbi Israel Miller, president of the AZF, said, “Without the maintenance of military parity for Israel with Egypt and the other Arab states there is an ever growing possibility that the current truce in the Middle East will not be maintained. ” Miller cited a recent report in the New York Times that U.S. military intelligence has confirmed the delivery of 100 MIG-21s and 16 troop-carrying helicopters from the Soviet Union to Egypt since last September and further Soviet military supplies to Syria. He said “Israel must have the strength that will dissuade any opportunistic offensive action that might be developing in Egypt today. ” Rabbi Miller observed that the AZF has in the past expressed approval of the Administration’s policy on U.S. arms shipments to Israel. He added, however, that “unfortunately, recent actions and statements by Administration officials have resulted in a growing disquiet by American Jews over America’s intention of living up to President Nixon’s explicit commitment to the maintenance of an arms balance between Israel and the Arab countries.”