Aipac Appeals to Administration to Reconsider Stand on Mideast Territorial Issues

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee appealed to the Nixon administration to reconsider its stand on territorial issues, so that Israel might negotiate freely and establish agreed and secure boundaries. AIPAC’s position was outlined in a policy statement approved by its Executive Committee for submission to the administration and Congress at its 12th annual policy conference in Washington, April 29-30. At the same time, AIPAC commended the administration for its determination not to permit an arms imbalance. AIPAC said it was essential that the government continue to provide Israel with military aid to enable her to deter renewed aggression. The committee expressed regret that the United States had accepted Egypt’s position that Israel must withdraw to the old international frontier, abandoning territories which have served as bases for Egyptian aggression.

Pointing out that the United States had recognized that Security Council Resolution 242 did not endorse the old armistice lines, the committee said that the U.S. proposals are tantamount to an endorsement of those precarious frontiers and that the procedure it had adopted impeded attainment of a negotiated peace. AIPAC also urged the United States to work for withdrawal of Soviet military forces and “to oppose any arrangements which might legitimize their presence in the area, which constitutes a threat to the survival and independence of all the countries of the region.” AIPAC said it believed that all outstanding issues could be resolved by direct negotiations. The policy statement will be submitted to 200 Senators and Representatives who have accepted invitations to attend committee luncheons on Capitol Hill celebrating Israel’s 23rd birthday and honoring Israel’s Ambassador Yitzhak Rabin. The Executive Committee, which met in New York last week, re-elected Irving Kane of Cleveland as chairman. It also re-elected I.L. Kenen of Washington as executive vice chairman and Louis C. Grossberg of Washington as treasurer.