President Ford held an unannounced 20-minute meeting at the White House today with Dr. Robert Shor, of Los Angeles, newly elected National Commander of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States, and Mrs. Rose Toye, of Quincy, Mass., president of the JWV’s women’s auxiliary.
The President, who customarily greets new leaders of veterans’ organizations, posed for photographs with Dr. Shor and Mrs. Toye and then invited them to remain with him in the Oval Office for a discussion of issues.
The two JWV leaders brought with them copies of resolutions adopted at the 81st national convention of the JWV at Hollywood, Fla., 10 days ago. These concerned U.S. assistance for Israeli security, measures to combat the Arab boycott of Israel, relief for Soviet Jewry, improved national defense, support for full employment and benefits for veterans.
Shor, a podiatrist who served in World War II, told reporters later that he “was extremely pleased with the President’s courtesy and the content of the meeting with him.” He said he had expressed concern over the projected sale of 2000 U.S. sidewinder missiles to Saudi Arabia and that the President informed him and Mrs. Toye that the matter was still being worked on. Shor said that the President told them that he met yesterday with Sens. Jacob K. Javits (R.NY) and Clifford Case (R.NJ), leading opponents of the projected sale, and was hopeful that the matter can be worked out.
Shor said the JWV was not opposed to U.S. economic relations with Arab countries or U.S. assistance to them “if it is for the mutual benefit of both of us.” But, he said, “We oppose the proliferation of arms on a massive scale for petrodollars. Arms, unlike staples such as food, have one purpose, to kill and maim,” Shor said.
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.
