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American Israel Public Affairs Committee Luncheon, Washington, DC, May 8, 1973
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American Israel Public Affairs Committee Luncheon, Washington, DC, May 8, 1973
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The original documents are located in Box D34, folder "American Israel Public Affairs
Committee Luncheon, Washington, DC, May 8, 1973" of the Ford Congressional Papers:
Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box D34 of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
LUNCHEON, ROOM B-339, RAYBURN H.O.B.,
TUESDAY NOON, MAY 8, 1973.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE ARE
GATHERED HERE TO FORMALLY NOTE THE CLOSE
FRIENDSHIP WHICH EXISTS BETWEEN THE
UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL.
THIS IS A MOST AUSPICIOUS
OCCASION BECAUSE IT MARKS A GREAT MOMENT
IN HISTORY -- THE CELEBRATING OF ISRAEL'S
25TH BIRTHDAY. THE OFFICIAL DATE, OF
COURSE, WAS YESTERDAY. BUT I AM
EXERCISING 24 HOURS LICENSE SO THAT I TOO
CAN BE PART OF THIS HISTORIC OBSERVANCE.
THIS IS A MOST APPROPRIATE TIME
TO REAFFIRM AMERICAN-ISRAELI FRIENDSHIP
AND OUR TRADITIONAL BIPARTISAN FOREIGN
POLICY -- BECAUSE BOTH THIS FRIENDSHIP AND
-2-
THIS POLICY SERVE THE CAUSE OF PEACE.
EVERY AMERICAN PRESIDENT OF THE
20TH CENTURY HAS SUPPORTED THE ZIONIST
DREAM OF A JEWISH NATIONAL HOME. BOTH OF
OUR MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES ARE COMMITTED
TO ISRAEL'S SURVIVAL.
IT IS VITAL THAT THIS BIPARTISAN
BACKING OF ISRAEL CONTINUES. THE FACT
THAT IT IS FLOURISHING IS DRAMATICALLY
DEMONSTRATED BY THE PRESENCE IN THIS ROOM
TODAY OF LEADERS FROM BOTH PARTIES.
WE MUST RETAIN OUR UNITY. SUCH
UNITY STRENGTHENS THE HAND OF OUR
PRESIDENT IN HIS EFFORTS TO PROMOTE A
JUST PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
IT IS IMPORTANT TOO, THAT THIS
LUNCHEON WE ARE ATTENDING BE MORE THAN
SIMPLY AN OCCASION FOR EXPRESSING
-3-
PRO-ISRAELI SENTIMENT. OUR ULTIMATE AND
OVER-RIDING OBJECTIVE IS A PERMANENT AND
JUST PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THIS IS
IN AMERICA'S NATIONAL INTEREST.
THOSE WHO TRULY CARE ABOUT
ISRAEL'S SURVIVAL MUST EXPRESS BIPARTISAN
SUPPORT THROUGH ACTIONS AND NOT ONLY
WORDS.
I PERSONALLY AM PLEASED TO BE
PART OF AN ADMINISTRATION THAT IS
MAINTAINING THE BALANCE OF POWER IN THE
MIDEAST BY SUPPLYING ISRAEL WITH SOME OF
THE FINEST U. S. WEAPONS AND ASSISTING
HER IN OTHER WAYS.
THE ADMINISTRATION IS SELLING
ISRAEL FOUR SQUADRONS OF COMBAT JETS AND
IS HELPING THE ISRAELIS SET UP PRODUCTION
OF AN ADVANCED JET FIGHTER OF THEIR OWN
DESIGN.
-4-
THESE ADDITIONAL AMERICAN
WARPLANES WILL KEEP PACE WITH SHIPMENTS
OF SOVIET AIRCRAFT TO SYRIA AND EGYPT
AND OF FRENCH AIRCRAFT TO LIBYA.
BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, ISRAEL
IS DUE TO HAVE ABOUT 120 F-4's AND BY
THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR, ABOUT 200 A-4's.
OUR BACKING FOR ISRAEL SHOULD
CONTINUE AT THE LEVELS OF RECENT YEARS
THROUGH MILITARY CREDITS, SUPPORTING
ASSISTANCE, AND GRANTS TO RESETTLE
IMMIGRANTS.
our
IT IS REASSURING TO KNOW THAT
MY COUNTRY IS PROVIDING ISRAEL WITH THE
MEANS OF DETERRING AGGRESSION AND IS
HELPING NEW SETTLERS IN ISRAEL GET STARTED
IN A NEW LIFE.
WE ARE OF COURSE, CONSTANTLY
-5-
EXPLORING EVERY MEANS OF DETERRING A
RENEWAL OF HOSTILITIES AND PROMOTING A
LASTING PEACE SETTLEMENT.
IN THE CONGRESS OUR BIPARTISAN
POLICY ON THE MIDDLE EAST IS COMMITTED
TO A PEACE THAT MUST EMERGE FROM THE PARTIES
DIRECTLY INVOLVED. WE REJECT ANY
DIPLOMATIC CONCEPT THAT WOULD CALL UPON
OUR FRIENDS, THE ISRAELIS, TO NEGOTIATE
WITH THE UNITED STATES RATHER THAN EGYPT
ON THE TERRITORIAL QUESTION.
THE UNITED STATES MUST CONTINUE
TO GIVE ISRAEL THE BACKING NECESSARY TO
MAINTAIN THE CREDIBILITY OF OUR FRIENDSHIP.
THE CENTRAL AIM OF OUR POLICY IN THE
MIDDLE EAST MUST BE TO PREVENT EVENTS
THAT WOULD CAUSE A BREAKDOWN IN THE
EMERGING STRUCTURE OF WORLD PEACE.
-6-
THERE IS ANOTHER IMPORTANT
MATTER WHICH CONCERNS BOTH THE UNITED
STATES AND ISRAEL. THAT IS THE FATE OF
SOVIET JEWRY. THIS MATTER HAS BECOME
TIGHTLY BOUND UP WITH THE ENTIRE SUBJECT
OF U. S.-SOVIET RELATIONS AND, MOST
DIRECTLY, WITH POSSIBLE EXPANSION OF
U. S.-SOVIET TRADE.
WE ALL KNOW THAT THE SOVIETS
HAVE NOW SUSPENDED THEIR INFAMOUS
"EDUCATION TAX," WHICH HAD BEEN IMPOSED
ON SOME PERSONS SEEKING TO LEAVE THE
SOVIET UNION. THIS IS SUBSTANTIAL
EVIDENCE OF PROGRESS BY NEGOTIATION. WE
ARE ALSO FAMILIAR WITH THE SIZABLE ANNUAL
INCREASE IN JEWISH EMIGRATION FROM THE
SOVIET UNION TO ISRAEL.
-7-
IT IS CLEAR THAT SENATOR JACKSON
IS NOT SATISFIED WITH SOVIET SUSPENSION OF
THE TAX AND THEREFORE APPARENTLY INTENDS
TO PRESS HIS AMENDMENT BARRING MOST
FAVORED NATION TREATMENT FOR THE SOVIET
UNION.
I FULLY SUPPORT SENATOR JACKSON'S
OBJECTIVES BUT I FEEL WE SHOULD CONTINUE
TO EXPLORE ALL ALTERNATIVES TO ACHIEVE
THE DESIRED END. WE WANT RESULTS. AND
PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE
LET US CONSIDER THE FACT THAT
MR. BREZHNEV RECENTLY MET WITH A GROUP
OF U. S. SENATORS IN MOSCOW AND INDICATED
HE DOES NOT INTEND TO LET ANYTHING STAND
IN THE WAY OF EXPANDED U. S.-SOVIET TRADE.
HE WAS QUOTED AS SAYING MOSCOW WILL DO
WHATEVER IS NECESSARY TO REMOVE THE
-8-
EXIT FEE ISSUE AS AN OBSTACLE.
I SUPPORT THE JACKSON AMENDMENT
IN PRINCIPLE. BUT MY HOPE IS THAT WE
solution
CAN WORK OUT A COMPROMISE WHICH WILL MAKE
POSSIBLE AN EXPANSION OF U. S.-SOVIET
TRADE WILL PROMOTE IMPROVED RELATIONS
BETWEEN THE U. S. AND THE SOVIET UNION,
WILL HELP US REALIZE A SECOND SALT
AGREEMENT AND WILL HELP BRING ABOUT
PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
WE MUST MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR
SOVIET JEWS TO EMIGRATE FREELY TO ISRAEL.
WE MUST DEVISE A JACKSON AMENDMENT
solution
COMPROMISE THAT WILL PERMIT AFFIRMATIVE
ACTION ON TRADE BUT AT THE SAME TIME SHOW
THE RUSSIANS THAT THE CONGRESS BACKS FREEDOM
OF EMIGRATION. WE MUST DO EVERYTHING WITHIN
OUR POWER TO ALLEVIATE THE PLIGHT OF
-9-
SOVIET JEWRY WITHOUT WRECKING THE
MOVEMENT TOWARD A SOVIET-AMERICAN
IMPROVEMENT OF RELATIONS.
THIS IS NOT A RELIGIOUS OR
PARTISAN MATTER BUT AN ISSUE COMPLETELY
CONSISTENT WITH OUR BELIEFS AND
COMMITMENTS TO HUMAN FREEDOM AND THE
DIGNITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL.
AMERICA AND ISRAEL ARE BOTH
CONCERNED ABOUT THE BROTHERHOOD OF MAN
UNDER THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD.
EVERY JEW WHO WISHES TO EMIGRATE
TO ISRAEL SHOULD BE FREE TO DO SO. THE
WORDS OF GENESIS ARE JUST AS MEANINGFUL
TODAY AS THEY WERE 4,000 YEARS AGO WHEN THE
LORD GOD SAID TO ABRAHAM: "GO FORTH FROM
YOUR COUNTRY
TO THE LAND THAT I WILL
SHOW YOU. AND I WILL MAKE OF YOU A GREAT
NATION."
-- END --
Distribution : Full
Mail 5/3/73
MOFFICE COPY
Halleries 5/7/73 moon)
REMARKS BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICH.
REPUBLICAN LEADER, U. S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AT THE AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE LUNCHEON
ROOM B-339 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
TUESDAY NOON, MAY 8, 1973
FOR RELEASE ON DELIVERY
Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here to formally note
the close friendship which exists between the United States and
Israel.
This is a most auspicious occasion because it marks a great
moment in history -- the celebrating of Israel's 25th birthday.
The official date, of course, was yesterday. But I am exercising
24 hours license so that I too can be part of this historic
observance.
This is a most appropriate time to reaffirm American-Israeli
friendship and our traditional bipartisan foreign policy -- because
both this friendship and this policy serve the cause of peace.
Every American President of the 20th century has supported
the Zionist dream of a Jewish national home. Both of our major
political parties are committed to Israel's survival.
It is vital that this bipartisan backing of Israel continues.
The fact that it is flourishing is dramatically demonstrated by the
presence in this room today of leaders from both parties.
We must retain our unity. Such unity strengthens the hand of
our President in his efforts to promote a just peace in the Middle
East.
It is important, too, that this luncheon we are attending be
more than simply an occasion for expressing pro-Israeli sentiment.
Our ultimate and over-riding objective is a permanent and just peace
in the Middle East. This is in America's national interest.
Those who truly care about Israel's survival must express
bipartisan support through actions and not only words.
I personally am pleased to be part of an Administration that
is maintaining the balance of power in the Mideast by supplying
Israel with some of the finest U. S. weapons and assisting her in
other ways.
(more)
GERALD
LIBRARY
Page 2
/
The Administration is selling Israel four squadrons of combat
jets and is helping the Israelis set up production of an advanced
jet fighter of their own design.
These additional American warplanes will keep pace with
shipments of Soviet aircraft to Syria and Egypt and of French
aircraft to Libya.
By the end of this year, Israel is due to have about
120 F-4's, and by the middle of next year, about 200 A-4's.
Our backing for Israel should continue at the levels of
recent years through military credits, supporting assistance, and
grants to resettle immigrants.
It is reassuring to know that my country is providing Israel
with the means of deterring aggression and is helping new settlers
in Israel get started in a new life.
We are, of course, constantly exploring every means of
deterring a renewal of hostilities and promoting a lasting peace
settlement.
In the Congress, our bipartisan policy on the Middle East
is committed to a peace that must emerge from the parties directly
involved. We reject any diplomatic concept that would call upon
our friends, the Israelis, to negotiate with the United States
rather than Egypt on the territorial question.
The United States must continue to give Israel the backing
necessary to maintain the credibility of our friendship. The
central aim of our policy in the Middle East must be to prevent
events that would cause a breakdown in the emerging structure of
world peace.
There is another important matter which concerns both the
United States and Israel. That is the fate of Soviet Jewry. This
matter has become tightly bound up with the entire subject of
U. S.-Soviet relations and, most directly, with possible expansion
of U. S.-Soviet trade.
We all know that the Soviets have now suspended their infamous
"education tax," which had been imposed on some persons seeking to
leave the Soviet Union. This is substantial evidence of progress
by negotiation. We are also familiar with the sizable annual
(more)
Page 3
increase in Jewish emigration from the Soviet Union to Israel.
It is clear that Senator Jackson is not satisfied with
Soviet suspension of the tax and therefore apparently intends to
press his amendment barring most favored nation treatment for the
Soviet Union.
I fully support Senator Jackson's objectives but I feel we
should continue to explore all alternatives to achieve the desired
end. We want results, and progress has been made.
Let us consider the fact that Mr. Brezhnev recently met with
a group of U. S. senators in Moscow and indicated he does not intend
to let anything stand in the way of expanded U. S.-Soviet trade.
He was quoted as saying Moscow will do whatever is necessary to
remove the exit fee issue as an obstacle.
I support the Jackson Amendment in principle. But my hope
is that we can work out a compromise which will make possible an
expansion of U. S.-Soviet trade, will promote improved relations
between the U. S. and the Soviet Union, will help us realize a
second SALT agreement, and will help bring about peace in the Middle
East.
We must make it possible for Soviet Jews to emigrate freely
to Israel. We must devise a Jackson Amendment compromise that will
permit affirmative action on trade but at the same time show the
Russians that the Congress backs freedom of emigration. We must do
everything within our power to alleviate the plight of Soviet Jewry
without wrecking the movement toward a Soviet-American improvement
of relations.
This is not a religious or partisan matter but an issue
completely consistent with our beliefs and commitments to human
freedom and the dignity of the individual.
America and Israel are both concerned about the brotherhood
of man under the Fatherhood of God.
Every Jew who wishes to emigrate to Israel should be free to
do SO. The words of Genesis are just as meaningful today as they
were 4,000 years ago when the Lord God said to Abraham: "Go forth
from your country to the land that I will show you. And I will
make of you a great nation."
###
Full Distribution
OOFFICE COPY
REMARKS BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICH.
REPUBLICAN LEADER, U. S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AT THE AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE LUNCHEON
ROOM B-339 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
TUESDAY NOON, MAY 8, 1973
FOR RELEASE ON DELIVERY
Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here to formally note
the close friendship which exists between the United States and
Israel.
This is a most auspicious occasion because it marks a great
moment in history -- the celebrating of Israel's 25th birthday.
The official date, of course, was yesterday. But I am exercising
24 hours license so that I too can be part of this historic
observance.
This is a most appropriate time to reaffirm American-Israeli
friendship and our traditional bipartisan foreign policy -- because
both this friendship and this policy serve the cause of peace.
Every American President of the 20th century has supported
the Zionist dream of a Jewish national home. Both of our major
political parties are committed to Israel's survival.
It is vital that this bipartisan backing of Israel continues.
The fact that it is flourishing is dramatically demonstrated by the
presence in this room today of leaders from both parties.
We must retain our unity. Such unity strengthens the hand of
our President in his efforts to promote a just peace in the Middle
East.
It is important, too, that this luncheon we are attending be
more than simply an occasion for expressing pro-Israeli sentiment.
Our ultimate and over-riding objective is a permanent and just peace
in the Middle East. This is in America's national interest.
Those who truly care about Israel's survival must express
bipartisan support through actions and not only words.
I personally am pleased to be part of an Administration that
is maintaining the balance of power in the Mideast by supplying
Israel with some of the finest U. S. weapons and assisting her in
other ways.
(more)
Page 2
The Administration is selling Israel four squadrons of combat
jets and is helping the Israelis set up production of an advanced
jet fighter of their own design.
These additional American warplanes will keep pace with
shipments of Soviet aircraft to Syria and Egypt and of French
aircraft to Libya.
By the end of this year, Israel is due to have about
120 F-4's, and by the middle of next year, about 200 A-4's.
Our backing for Israel should continue at the levels of
recent years through military credits, supporting assistance, and
grants to resettle immigrants.
It is reassuring to know that my country is providing Israel
with the means of deterring aggression and is helping new settlers
in Israel get started in a new life.
We are, of course, constantly exploring every means of
deterring a renewal of hostilities and promoting a lasting peace
settlement.
In the Congress, our bipartisan policy on the Middle East
is committed to a peace that must emerge from the parties directly
involved. We reject any diplomatic concept that would call upon
our friends, the Israelis, to negotiate with the United States
rather than Egypt on the territorial question.
The United States must continue to give Israel the backing
necessary to maintain the credibility of our friendship. The
central aim of our policy in the Middle East must be to prevent
events that would cause a breakdown in the emerging structure of
world peace.
There is another important matter which concerns both the
United States and Israel. That is the fate of Soviet Jewry. This
matter has become tightly bound up with the entire subject of
U. S.-Soviet relations and, most directly, with possible expansion
of U. S.-Soviet trade.
We all know that the Soviets have now suspended their infamous
"education tax," which had been imposed on some persons seeking to
leave the Soviet Union. This is substantial evidence of progress
by negotiation. We are also familiar with the sizable annual
(more)
Page 3
increase in Jewish emigration from the Soviet Union to Israel.
It is clear that Senator Jackson is not satisfied with
Soviet suspension of the tax and therefore apparently intends to
press his amendment barring most favored nation treatment for the
Soviet Union.
I fully support Senator Jackson's objectives but I feel we
should continue to explore all alternatives to achieve the desired
end. We want results, and progress has been made.
Let us consider the fact that Mr. Brezhnev recently met with
a group of U. S. senators in Moscow and indicated he does not intend
to let anything stand in the way of expanded U. S.-Soviet trade.
He was quoted as saying Moscow will do whatever is necessary to
remove the exit fee issue as an obstacle.
I support the Jackson Amendment in principle. But my hope
is that we can work out a compromise which will make possible an
expansion of U. S.-Soviet trade, will promote improved relations
between the U. S. and the Soviet Union, will help us realize a
second SALT agreement, and will help bring about peace in the Middle
East.
We must make it possible for Soviet Jews to emigrate freely
to Israel. We must devise a Jackson Amendment compromise that will
permit affirmative action on trade but at the same time show the
Russians that the Congress backs freedom of emigration. We must do
everything within our power to alleviate the plight of Soviet Jewry
without wrecking the movement toward a Soviet-American improvement
of relations.
This is not a religious or partisan matter but an issue
completely consistent with our beliefs and commitments to human
freedom and the dignity of the individual.
America and Israel are both concerned about the brotherhood
of man under the Fatherhood of God.
Every Jew who wishes to emigrate to Israel should be free to
do SO. The words of Genesis are just as meaningful today as they
were 4,000 years ago when the Lord God said to Abraham: "Go forth
from your country to the land that I will show you. And I will
make of you a great nation."
# # #