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Lawmaker Says Support for Israel is Based on Moral, Political Grounds

May 11, 1976
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American commitment to Israel’s continued independence is a cornerstone of a new, emerging foreign policy, a Congressman said here last Wednesday. Rep. Abner J. Mikva (D.III.), speaking at a Jewish United Fund meeting, said that the “overwhelming sentiment in Congress for support of Israel is based on moral and political grounds and is firmly supported by the majority of Americans.”

Mikva told the meeting that “Our experiences of recent years have taught us that a foreign policy that will be supported by the majority of Americans, one that will be bipartisan in the best sense, must be grounded on a clear moral sense, on what truly moves us as a nation toward the ideals of freedom and liberty,” the Congressman said. One such commitment that is firmly founded in public sentiment is this country’s commitment to Israel and to Israel’s independence, Mikva continued.

“The overwhelming sentiment in Congress is that the American commitment to Israel is now a cornerstone of a new, emerging foreign policy–that morally, as well as politically, there must be an unequivocal commitment to Israel and her right to exist in peace.” Mikva said.

White Sox owner Bill Veeck, who was honored as the JUF “Communicator of the Year,” received the annual award–a silver menorah–from Maxwell Sroge, UF Communications general chairman.

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