Carter Reassures Jewish Leaders of U.S. Support of Israel

President Carter today “reassured” a large delegation of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations that “there was no deviation” from his support of Israel, according to the chairman of the Conference, Rabbi Alexander Schindler.

“We were particularly pleased with the definition of peace,” Schindler told newsmen after the more than hour-long meeting in the White House which he termed a “very fruitful, helpful and frank discussion.” He said the President stressed that a Mideast peace means to him the normalization of relations, the absence of economic and propaganda warfare and the establishment of trade, human contacts and cultural exchanges.

Schindler said the delegation of more than 20 Jewish leaders “expressed our apprehension” about some of Carter’s recent statements on the Mideast which he told the President could be “misinterpreted” as a “blueprint to be imposed” as well as raise Arab expectations.

However, Schindler stressed “there is no difference in the goal we both pursue, mainly the goal to achieve peace in the Middle East.” When asked whether he thought that Carter’s recent actions had conflicted with his campaign statements, Schindler said, “No.” He said he agreed with the President’s statement that a solution to the Palestinian problem must be found. He said neither Jerusalem nor the West Bank were discussed today.

PEACE POSSIBLE IN A FEW MONTHS

At the outset of the meeting, newsmen heard Carter tell the Presidents Conference delegation that there was a chance a Middle East peace could be achieved “within the next number of months.” He said the U.S. continues to unswervingly support Israel while at the same time there had to be open, frank and sometimes disputed discussions between the two countries.

Carter said that he had outlined concepts that will be difficult for the Arab leaders to accept. “It is accurate to say that a year or two years ago, just to commit themselves to permanent peace and a recognition of Israel’s right to exist was a difficult thing for some of them,” Carter said.

Schindler told newsmen he hoped that Carter and Israeli Premier Menachem Begin would establish good relations when they meet here July 19-20. “The meeting is billed as an opportunity to understand their differences and to speak to each other frankly,” he noted. “There is no reason Mr. Begin and the President should not get along. They share many things in common as personalities. They are essentially honest men, strong men and committed.” Schindler added that the two leaders also share a sense of the mystic.