Presidents Conference Says No to Plane Sales or Any ‘so-called Compromise’

A telegram expressing the opposition of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations to the Carter Administration’s proposal for sales of war planes to Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, as a package, and to any “so-called ‘compromise’ package” was sent to every Senator and Representative yesterday, a Presidents Conference spokesman said today.

The text of the telegram, signed by Rabbi Alexander Schindler, Conference chairman, read: “We strongly oppose the Middle East arms package or any so-called ‘compromise’ package. It is harmful to our country’s interests. It imperils the security of Israel and it is a major impediment to the chances of resuming the negotiations toward a just and lasting Middle East peace.” The spokesman added that the telegram was decided on at a two-hour meeting yesterday of the Presidents Conference. The spokesman said that Schindler declared after the meeting that “it was clear from the discussion that the sentiment of the Conference of Presidents was to oppose the arms package even it if meant no planes to Israel at this time.”