Cleveland Region, Zionist Organization of America, Cleveland, OH, March 19, 1972” of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R

The original documents are located in Box D32, folder “Cleveland Region, Zionist Organization of America, Cleveland, OH, March 19, 1972” of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.

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AS AN INDIVIDUAL; I AA DEEPLY HONORED TO BE SELECTED BY THE CL:V~LAND REGION OF THE ZIONIST ORGAN,ZATION OF AMERICA AS THE SEC"ND ANNUAL RECIPIENT OF THE RABBI A3BA HILLEL SILVER A ARD . AS THE LEADER OF ~y PARTY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES) I ISH TO ACCEPT THIS A ARD NOT ONLY IN Y OWN NA~E BUT ON BEHALF OF ALL THOSE ~EMBERS OF THE CONGRESS HO CHERISH THE MEMORY OF RABBI SILVER ANO THE HISTORIC ROLE HE PLAYED I·l BRINGING ABOUT A CONFLUENCE IN THE GREAT STREAPAS OF ZIONISM AND A!~ER ICANIS n. IT APPEARS THAT I AM THE SECOND ~~...... , TO BE SELECTED FOR THIS A1 ARD . ~,,..4.,. ~'P-u -2- SENATE AND HOUSE REPU~LICA~ S NOW SHARE IJ IN THIS HONOR IN VIEW OF THE PRESENTATION LAST YEAR TO THE DISTINGUISHED SENATOR FROM OH I 0J 80 TAFT • MY PARTY RP.1E BERS -- ~ITH REVERENCE AND AFFECTION -- THE SACRED BLESSINGS INVOKED ON OUR NATIONAL POLIT,CAL CONVENTIONS BY RA9BI SILVER WHEN HE LED US IN PRAYER . HIS SPIRIT ILL CONTINUE TO GUIDE US . I A~ MOVED BY THE RABBI ABBA HILLEL SILVER AWARD AND THE IMPORTANC~ OF CO ~~~E 1AORAT ING THE HISTORIC ROLE OF DR . SILVER IN THE DEVELOP~ENT OF ISRAELI - A~ERICAN RELATIONS . IT WOULD SE ' FITTING TO CELEBRATE THIS CO~ING YEAR; THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CREATION OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL, THE SILVER ANNIVERSARY OF ISRAEL J ' ITH A GESTURE HONORING DR . SILVER . -3- THE UNIQUE CELEBRATION OF THE SILVER ANNIVERSARY OF ISRAEL THAT I PROPOSE .~OULD GIVE N.E\Y 0 IMENS ION AND MEANING TO THE RELATIONSHIP LINKING OUR TWO COUNTRIES . IT WOULD BE IN THE SERVICE OF PEACE AND THE NOR.!aAL IZAT ION OF RELATIONS A~ONG THE PEOPLES OF TH~ WORLD . I ·PROPOSE THAT THE UNITED STATES GOVERN~ENT TAKE ACTION Y THE SILVER ANNIVERSARY OF ISRAEL IN 1973 TO RECOGNIZE JERUSALEM AS THE H'STORIC AND LAWFUL CAPITAL OF ISRAEL BY ~OVING THE UNITED STATES EMBASSY FRO¥ T~L AVIV TO JERUSALEA . IT HAS BECO~~E A~CHRON I ST I C AND EVEN AN ' I~PEDI ~ENT TO A REGIONAL PEACE SETTLE~ENT FOR THE UNITED STATES TO CONT'NUE ·~A!NTAI~'ING THE FICTION THAT JI:RUSALE ~ !S NOT THE CAPITAL OF ISRAEL . -4-

THE GOVERN~ENT OF ISRAEL IS LOCATED IN JERUSALE .• THE ISRAELI PARL IA~-~ENT J THE OFF I.CES OF THE PR I~ ~~E , ~IN ISTER AND PRES IDENT J AND THE ISRAEL I FOREIGN ~INISTRY A~D OTHER AGENCIES OF GnV~RNAENT ARE IN JERUSALE~ . JERUSALEM IS THE H'STORICJ B'BLICALJ AND REVERED CAPITAL OF THE JEWISH NATION . THE RE - BOR~ STATE OF ISRAEL; APPROACHING ITS SILVER ANNIVERSARY J HAS ESTABLISHED ITS PER·\~ANE~'Cc TO THE EXTENT THAT OUR GOVERNMENT SHOULD RECOGNIZE THE CAPITAL CITY OF ISRAEL) JERUSALEM, AND MOVE OUR EMBASSY TO THE CITY DESIGNATED BY THE SOVEREIGN STATE OF ' ISRAEL AS ITS CAPITAL . ISRAELI - A~ERICAN RELATIONS HAVE REACHED A PO,NT WHEREIN IT IS ABSURD TO GO ON 'ITH THE OLDJ ~AKESHIFT ARRANGE~ENT OF

.. -5-

~AINTAINING OUR E~BASSY IN TEL AVIV IN DEFIANCE OF THE FACTS OF LIFE . TO CONT NUE ITH THE PR.ESENT ARRANGEMENT IGHT TEND TO INDICATE THAT THERE IS SO~ETHING TE .PORARY ABOUT THE LOCATION OF ISRAEL' S CAPITAL . THIS SITUATION DOES NOT ENCOURAGE THE ARABS TO TRANSLATE THE PRESENT CEASE -FIRE ARRANGE~ENTS INTO A PERMANENT AND LASTING PEACE . IT IS E!l~BARRASS ING TO THE STATE OF ISRAEL ANO TO OUR A'1BASSAOOR IN TEL AVIV WHEN HE HAS TO RIDE BACK AND FORTH FROM ONE CITY TO ANOTHER TO ~AINTAIN A DIPLO lATIC ~YTH . BY MOVING OUR E~SASSY ' TO JERUSALE~, WE ILL DEMONSTRATE THAT OUR FRIENDSHIP HAS REACHED THE PHASE IN WHICH E ACCEPT ISRAEL' S RIGHT TO DESIGNATE HER CAPITAL . PRESIO~NT NIXON SET AN EXAMPLE OF REV IEWING 0 IPLO. AAT IC CONTACTS AND -6-

RELATIONS ~ITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IN PEKING . E CAN DO NO LESS :ITH A NATION ~liTH HO~\J' ' E HAVE EN.JOYED A CLOSE FRIENDSHIP IN THIS LAST QUARTER -CENTURY . I HOPE THAT PRESIDENT NIXON' BY THE YEAR 1973, r GOES TO JERUSALEM. TO DEDICATE A NEW. UNITED STATES E~8ASSY IN THAT CITY, A ;. .CITY OF GOO AND MANl A CITY PRECIOUS T£ ALL A.J.ER I CANS J CHR I ST I AN AND JE I SH ALI KE.z A CITY THAT WE CAN VERY APPROPRIATELY . ~ RECOGNIZE AS A ORLD CAPITAL DEVOTED TO THE IDEAL OF PEACE AND THE BROTHERHOOD OF ·1AN UNDER THE FATHERHOOO OF GOD . I INT END TO ;~AKE ~y VIEWS KNOWN TO OUR SECRETARY OF STATE . WE REMAIN ' ~INDFUL , HO~EVER 1 OF THE SPIRITUAL AND UNIVERSAL SIGNIFICANCE OF JERUSALEJ. AND 'TS SACRED MEANING TO THREE FAITHS -

CHRIST I AN I TY 1 ISLA ~ ~ SS -: LO~ ' AND JUDA IS . ' -7-

THERE IS Nn QUEST~~ HND THAT THE STATE OF ISRAEL WILL RESPECT THE RELIGIOUS A CONSIDERATIONS INVOLVING THE HOLY SHRINES OF OTHER FAITHS' THE ACCESS TO SUCH SHRINES' AND RELATED FACTORS OF INTERFAITH CONCERN . AS E APPROACH THE SILVER ANNIVERSARY OF ISRAEL) A NEW ASSESS~ENT OF 'SRAELI - A~ERICAN RELATIONS IS IN ORDER . WE HAVE MOVED MUCH CLOSER TOGETHER IN THE WAKE OF THE SIX DAY WAR OF 1067. THERE IS CONCERN- LEST ISRAEL IN THE WAR BUT LOSE THE PEACE . THERE 'AS FEAR THAT THE UNITED STATES MIGHT SELL ISRAEL DOWN THE ' RIVER , THAT ISRAEL ~IGHT BE FORCED TO ~AKE ONE -SIDED CONCESSIONS) THAT THE UNITED STATES '~IGHT NOT PROVIDE THE REQUIRED PHANTOM JETS AND OTHER AR~~S TO MAINTAIN THE ESSENTIAL ~AILITARY BALANC~ . -8- PRO -CO .MUNIST ARAB GUERRILLAS WERE A DANGEROUS FACTOR . THE SOVIET ROLE 'AS UNPREDICTABLE . SOVIET TROOPS AND AI RMEN ARRIVED IN EGYPT . AN O~H NOUS CRISIS EXISTED ALONG THE SUEZ CANAL . TODAY; IF I ~AY BE PERMITTED' WE ARE BEGINNING TO SEE THE SILVER LINING . THE A~ERICAN - INSP REO CEASE -FIRE AT THE SUEZ CANAL HAS BROUGHT TWENTY ~ONTHS OF RESPITE FR ARFARE ON THAT DANGEROUS FRONT . WE HAVE RECOGNIZED THE NEED NOT ONLY FOR A STRONG AND SECURE ISRAEL BUT ALSO FOR A CREDIBLE AND POWERFUL UNITED STATES PRESENCE IN THE ~EOITERRANEAN) THE ' MIDDLE EAST' AND THE PERSIAN GULF . A~ERICAN INTERESTS ARE AT STAKE . 'E CANNOT ALLOW A POWER VACUU~~ TO DEVELOP . ISRAEL AND JORDAN ARE NOW SHOWING SIGNS OF BUILDING ON A SITUATION THAT E -8- PRO -co· MUNIST ARAB GUERRILLAS WERE A DANGEROUS FACTOR . THE SOVIET ROLE AS UNPREDICTABLE . SOVIET TROOPS AND AI RMEN ARRIVED IN EGYPT . AN O~H NOUS CRISIS EXISTED ALONG THE SUEZ CANAL . TODAY) IF I .AY BE PERM ITTEO _, WE ARE BEGINNING TO SEE THE SILVER LINING . THE A~ERICAN - INSP REO CEASE -FIRE AT THE SUEZ CANAL HAS BROUGHT TWENTY ~ONTHS OF RESPITE FRO~ WARFARE ON THAT DANGEROUS FRONT . WE HAVE RECOGNIZED THE NEED NOT ONLY FOR A STRONG AND SECURE ISRAEL BUT ALSO FOR A CREDIBLE AND POWERFUL UNITED , STATES PRESENCE IN THE ~EDITERRANEAN) THE AIDDLE EAST' AND THE PERSIAN GULF . AMERICAN INTERESTS ARE AT STAKE . 'E CANNOT ALLOW A POWER VACUU~~ TO DEVELOP . ISRAEL AND JORDAN ARE NOW SHOWING SIGNS OF BUILDING ON A SITUATION THAT E

.. -9-

HOPE IS STABILIZING . A NE~ EVOLUTION OF THINKING APPEARS Tn SE BRINGING ISRAEL AND JORDAN CLOSER TOGETHER . AT LEAST? THE SHOOTING HAS STOPP:D . UJ US HOPE THAT TALKING IS POSSIBLE AND THAI PROOUCT!VE RESULTS MAY BE ACHIEVED BY THE SILVER ANNIVERSARY YEAR . THE UNITED STATES HAS NOT BECOME A SUBSTITUTE IN PEACE NEGOTIAT,ONS FOR ANY COUNTRY DIRECTLY INVOLVED . OUR AD INISTRATION IS CONVINCED --THAT ISRAEL ~UST 9E PER ITTED TO SETTLE DIFFERENCES DIRECTLY VITH HER NEIGHBORS . THE FAILURE TO "~AKE INO ING AND CONTRACTUAL PEACE ' AGREE~ENTS IN 1949 RESULTED IN TWO ADDITIONAL WARS -- 1956 AND 1q67 . THAT ~ISTAKE ~UST NOT BE REPEATED . WE HAVE HELPED STABILIZE THE SITUATION THROUGH A ASSIVE NEW FLOW OF

.. - 10 -

ECONOMIC AND ~ILITARY ASSISTANCE TO

ISRAEL . IT BEGAN IN 1969 . FRO j THE YEAR 1969 TO THE END OF 1q72 WE miLL HAVE PROV I OED ISRAEL .. ITH ft~ORE ECONOMIC AND ~'ILITARY AID THAN IN THE ENTIRE PERIOD tRO~~ 1948 TO 1os • PRES I DENT NIXON HAS ,.EPT HI S WORD ON THE CO~ ~IT nENTS HE ~~ADE IN 1968 . THE NIXON AD dNISTRATION ' S FOUR YEAR TOTAL OF ECON0.11C AND ~ILITARY ASSISTANCE TO ISRAEL WILL 9E LARGER THAN THE COMBINED FIGURE FOR THE 20 -YEAR PERIOD OF 1948 THROUGH 1968 . THIS IS A GOOD

RECORD FOR A GOOD CAUSE . , 'VE REAL IZE THAT · E CANNOT FORECAST THE OUTCOME nF PRESIDENT NIXON ' S TALKS VII TH THE RUSS IANS IN ~ OSCO\ TH IS l .~A Y• BUT WE ARE ALL FREE TO SPECULATE ON SOME <,. DEVELOP nE TS THAT 'E WOULD LIKE TO SEE FL~ . - 11 -

FRO THE SU · 11\~IT CONFERENCE . \~HAT HAPPENS IN ~AOSC 1 nAY HAVE AN 1~ ~EOIATE ~~~PACT ON THE .IODLE EAST' AN AREA OF GREAT STRATEGIC CONC RN TO BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND THE SOVIET UNION . ~~OSCOW ~UST UNOERSTA~'D THAT ~ ILITARY BLACK~AIL AND MANIPULATION 'LL NOT 70RK AGAINST ISRAEL . SUCH AN UNDERSTANDING ~LL ENHANCE THE PROSPECTS OF PEACE . UNCERTAINTY IS DANGEROUS . 'E HAVE CLARIFIED OUR STAND AND ARE CONTINUING TO 00 SO . JUST AS THERE ARE CHANGES I~

OTHER PARTS OF THE ~ORLD , A LIVE -AND -LET -LIVE ' ATTITUDE ~AY GROW A~ONG THE STATES OF THE ~IDOLE EAST . IF' ASHINGTON AND PEKING CA! XPLORE CO -EXISTENCE , WHY NOT CAI~O ' AND JERUSALE ? BUT PEACE ILL NOT CO~E IN ANY PART OF THE WORLD IF OTHERS CONCLUDE THAT

.. - 12 - AMERICA HAS GROWN WEAK AND IS WITHDRAWING- FROM HER WORLD RESPONS I B ILIT IES . ''HEN HE VISITED THE UNITED STATES SIXTH FLEET IN

1970' PRES I DENT NIXON TOLD NATO CO~ 1 1A"'DERS OF ''T HE PR' IARY 'NO ISPEMSABLE PR INC I PLE OF AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY .» IN THE PRESIDENT' S OWN \VORos , tfT HAT PRINCIPLE IS TO MAINTAIN THE NECESSARY STRENGTH IN THE ~EOITERRANEAN TO PRESERVE THE PEACE AGAINST THOSE Hn "IGHT THREATEN THE PEACE .» '· E HAVE NOT VOTED LARGE SUftAS FOR ISRAEL PURELY BECAUSE OF GENEROSITY OR OUR AD IRATinN FOR THE JEWISH STATE OR BECAUSE SO . \~ANY .JE 'S 0 I ED I \VORLO AR TYJO . ' LET US BE FRANK ABOUT THAT . THE A~ERICAN

PEOPLE1 THROUG~ THE CONGRESS1 HAVE SUPPORTED THIS AD~INISTRATION ' S POLICY ON ISRAEL BECAUSE QUR POLICY IS IN THE NATIONAL SECURITY INTEREST OF THE UNITED STAU§ . - 13 - 0UR OBLIGATION AS A NATION IS TO OUR OWN SECURITY, _FIRST AND FOREMOST . THE REASON 'E HAVE SO STRONGLY BACKED ISRAEL GOES BEYOND THE JUSTICE OF ISRAEL' S CASE . THE DEFENSE OF ISRAEL IS VERY I APORTANT TO THE SECUR ITY OF THE UNITED STATES . OUR POLICY IS LINKED WITH THE FATE OF THE nEOtTERRANEAN A 0 THE FUTURE OF NATO . IT IS CONSISTENT '~I TH THE DESIRE OF OUR NAT! ON TO PRESERVE FREEon~~ AND TO OPPOSE TOTALITAR IANISM. I REJECT THE POLIT CAL LINE NOW Et~ERG ING THAT "'E SHOULD RETURN TO ISOLAT,ONIS AND REFUSE TO INVOLVE ' OURSELVES ' •1 TH THE ~I DOLE EAST . SO~~E NE LEFTISTS AND EXTRE~AE LIB::RALS HAVE DISPLAYED CO~PLETE INCONSISTENCY IN PROCLA' tNG SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL 'HILE UNDER·11NING TH~ AD\11NISTRATION ' S ~ ILITARY - 14- CAPAB ILIT IE S 'ORLO IDE . THEY OPPOSE THE DEVJ:LOP 11ENT OF , E AND BETTER ·1EAPONS FOR THE DEFENSE OF FREEDOM WHILE SAYING THAT THEY FAVOR THE PROVISION OF SUCH WEAPONS TO ISRA L• . \V[ MJST RESIST THE BLANDISHMENTS OF NEO - ISOLATION!S·A. THE SOVIET UNION IS EXPANDING ITS AGGRESSIVE , ILJTARY BUILD -UP AND SENDING ITS ATO~A'C SUS ~ nARINES AND 'ARSHIPS TO OUR COASTAL ATERS . HEN E CEASE ~ISSILE RESEARCH AND STOP DEVELOPAENT ~R AND ~ETTER JETs, WE LESSEN ~R CAPACITY TO A 1SRA L. WE ALSO INVITE AGGRESSION . , IF PRESIDENT NIXON IS TO BE CREDIBLE WHEN HE SPEAKS IN ~IDSCOW OF OUR

INTENTIONS IN THE HOOLE EAST 1 E AUST HAVE A SIXTH FLEET IN. THE ~EOITERRANEAN THAT IS PROVIDED ITH THE ~~ST EFFECTIVE - 1~ -

SH' PS AND PER SO '~'EL . THE RUSS IANS ~1UST ALSO NOW THAT .IE ARE CONTINUING DEFENSE RESEARCH AND OEVELO~MENT . ~THERWISE, THEY WILL LOOK AT THE CHESS BOARD OF POWER AND FINO OUR ~OVES LACKING IN CREDIBILITY . THE PRESIDENT' S EMPHASIS IS NOT ON AR OR niLITARIS~ . HE tS TER~'NATING A PRE -EXIST I~'G CONFLICT IN THE FAR EAST . HIS CONCENTRATION IS ON THE E"~ERG ING STRUCTURE OF PEACE.. • DESPITE OUR RESTRAINT IN ~ILITARY SUPPLY OF ISRAEL , THE SOVIET UNION ~ADE ~'E · PLEDGES AND SH IP~~ENTS OF AR vlS TO EGYPT DURING 1971 . AT THE EMD OF THE YEAR) PRESIDENT NIXON FELT OBLIGED TO REITERATE , THAT THE UNITED STATES WOULD NOT ALLOW THE BALANCE TO BE UPSET . THE SOVIET UNION IS CONTINUING Tn BUILD UP ITS OWN ~ILITARY FACILIT ES IN EGYPT AND TO STATION -1 6- INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED WEAPONRY THERE • .E ARE NOW SFNOING NE ARMS TO ISRAEL . PRES IDENT NIXON LAST ~·oNTH REPORTED TO THE CONGRESS THAT ~H E SOVIET UNION 'S EFFORT TO USE THE ARAB - ISRAELI CONFLICT TO PERPETUATE AND EXPAND ITS OWN HLITARY POSITION IN EGYPT HAS BEEN A MATTER OF CONCERN TO THE UNITED STATES ." HE POINTED OUT THAT,ftTHE USSR HAS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF EGYPT 'S INCREASING DEPENDENCE ON SOVIET ILITARY SUPPLY TO GAIN THE USE OF NAVAL AND AIR FACILITIES IN EGYPT . THIS HAS SERIOUS t WLICATIONS FOR THE STABILITY

OF THE BALANCE OF PO~ER LOCALLY ) REGIONALLY ' IN THE EASTERN ~~ED ITERRANE A 1 A'0 GLOBALLY ·'' THE SOVIET UNION RECENTLY INTRODUCED INTO EGYPT THE FOXBAT AND OTHER ADVANCED ··.~ I G A! RCRAFT AND THE SA -6 . ~08 ILE SURFACE -TO -AIR ISS,LES . THEY HAVE ALSO

.. -1 7-

BROUGHT IN TU-16 BO~BERS EQUIPPED WITH LONG -RANGE AIR -TO -SURFACE ~ISSILES . MUCH OF THIS EQUIP~EMT IS OPERATED EXCLUSIVELY BY SOVIET HLITARY PERSnNNEL . ACCORDING T 'HAT THE PRESIDENT TOLD CONGRESS A OUT THIS DEVELOPAENTJ I CONCLUDED THAT HE .IGHT VERY WELL TELL THE RUSSIANS H THEY CAN BEST AVOID A ~AJOR CONFLICT IN THE "'I DOLE EAST . IT IS BY RESTRAINT JN AR'.S SUPPLY TO EGYPTJ BY REFRAINING FRO~ EXPLOITATION OF THE DISPUTE TO ENHANCE THE SOVIET ~ILITARY POSIT'ON, AND BY ENCOURAGING THE NEGOTIATION OF PEACE . THE SOVIET UN 10N HAS IN THE PAST ' ATTE~PTED TO ORA' A FINAL POLITICAL AND TERRITORIAL BLUEPR INT, INCLUDING FINAL BOUNDAR,ES , INSTEAD OF COOPERATING IN A PROCESS OF NEGOTIATION . -1 8-

THE PRES IDENT RE~~A INS CONV INSED THAT THERE ~UST 1E AN UNDERSTANDING riTH Aoscrov ON THE Ll ~'TS OF ACCEPTABLE SOVIET BEHAVIOR IN THE ~IDDLE EAST . A SECURE PEACE IN THE AIDDLE EAST REnUIRES STABLE RELATIONS ON TWO LEVELS - ACCO ~OOATION 'ITHIN THE R~GION AND A BALANCE A/tONG THE POWERS OUTSIDE . ISRAEL HAS REM.t OED US THAT THE INO IAN -PAK' STAN I ~AR OE"nONSTRATED THE I ~OTENCE OF THE UNITED ~AllONS . I CAN ACCEPT THE ISRAELI POSITION THAT INTERNATIONAL GUARANTEES ARE NO SUBSTITUTE FOR THE PHYSICAL COND TIONS AND EANS FOR SECURITY . ' AS OUR GOVERN ENT CONTINUES TO SEEK NE PATTERNS OF ORDER AND A NE , ERA OF INTERNATIONAL STABILITY, NE. RELATIONSH,PS nUST BE SHAPED . I A~ VERY

. ' ~- 1 9 - PLEASED BY THE NE A RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPING BET .EEN TH UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL . IT IS ALSO A SOURCE OF SAT ISF ACT ION THAT JE' 11S IN SUBSTANT tAL

N I ERS ARE NO.~ A LE TO E~~' ~RATE FRO~l THE sovIET UN InN . I HAVE ~~ADE KNOWN ~ ~.~y CONVICTION THAT THE PRESIDENT SHOULD KEEP THE SOV IET UN ION A ARE OF A\£R ICAN OP IN I ON ON THIS COMPELLING HU~ANITARIAN ISSUE . AS WE ~OVE TOWARD ISRAEL' S SILVER ANNtVERSARY , E ARE A ARE OF THIS AD~ INISTRATION ' S DETERfli~ATION TO ~AINTAIN THE CEASE -FIRE ' TO KEEP A ~~ ' LI TARY BALANC ~ TO OFFER ANY HELP DESIRED IF THE PARTIES ' ACHIEVE A INTER! A SETTLE ~ENT , AND TO IMPRESS UPON THE SOVIET UNION THAT STRATEGIC RIVALRY IN THE '-IDOLE EAST IS INCO~WATIBLE .ITH REGIONAL PEACE AND U.S.-SOV IET RELATIONS . -20 - I LOOK FOR.ARD TO A SILVER ANNIVERSARY IN 'H 1CH A REAL PEACE ~ILL FREE THE ENERGtES AND RESOURCES OF THE t • 1DOLE EAST FOR EGO~-' n1 c AND soc 1AL PROGRESS . THE UNITED STATES HOPES FOR A NE ERA OF CONSTRUCTIVE AND ~UTUALLY ENEFICIAL RELATIONS r ITH ALL NATIONS AND ALL PEnPLES . AS THIS YEAR JS RECIPIENT OF THE SILVER A ARDJ I LOOK FOR.ARD, I 1 THE 'ORDS OF THE HEBRE PRAYER' TO •NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALE~ ·"

-- END -- ' ADDRESS BY ItE;F. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICH. REPUBLICAN Li~;rmER, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BEFORE THE CLEVELAND REGION, ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA AT CLEVELAND, OHIO 4 P.M. SUNDAY, ~UffiCH 19, 1972

FOR RELEASE AT 4 P.• M. SUNDAY

As an individual, I am deeply honored to be selected by the Cleveland Region of the Zionist Organization of America as the second annual recipient of the Rabbi

Abba Hillel Silver Award. As the leader of my party in the House of Representatives,

I wish to accept this award not only in my own name but on behalf of all those members of the Congress who cherish the memory of Rabbi Silver and the historic role he played in bringing about a confluence in the great streams of Zionism and

Americanism.

It appears that I am the second Republican to be selected for this award.

Senate and House Republicans now share in this honor in view of the presentation last year to the distinguished senator from Ohio, Bob Taft. MY party remembers-- with reverence and affection--the sacred blessings invoked on our national political

conventions by Rabbi Silver when he led us in prayer. His spirit will continue to guide us.

I am moved by the Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver Award and the importance of

commemorating the historic role of Dr. Silver in the development of Israeli-American

relations. It would be fitting to celebrate this coming year, the 25th anniversary

of the creation of the State of Israel, the Silver Anniversary of Israel, with a

gesture honoring Dr. Silver.

The unique celebration of the Silver Anniversary of Israel that I propose would give new dimension and meaning to the relationship linking our two countries.

It would be in the service of peace and the normalization of relations among the

peoples of the world.

I propose that the United States Government take action by the Silver

Anniversary of Israel in 1973 to recognize Jerusalem as the historic and lawful

capital of Israel by moving the United States Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

It has become anachronistic and even an impediment to a regional peace settlement

for the United States to continue maintaining the fiction that Jerusalem is not

the capital of Israel.

(more) -2-

The Government of Israel is located in Jerusalem. The Israeli parliament, the offices of the prime mi11ister and president, and the Israeli Foreign Ministry

and other agencies of government are in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is the historic, biblical, and revered capital of the Jewish nation. The re-born State of Israel,

approaching its Silver Anniversary, has established its permanence to the extent that our government should recognize the capital city of Israel, Jerusalem, and move our embassy to the city designated by the sovereign state of Israel as its

capital.

Israeli-American relations have reached a point wherein it is absurd to go on with the old, makeshift arrangement of maintaining our embassy in Tel Aviv in

defiance of the facts of life. To continue with the present arrangement might tend

to indicate that there is something temporary about the location of Israel's

capital. This situation does not encourage the Arabs to translate the present

cease-fire arrangements into a permanent and lasting peace.

It is embarrassing to the State of Israel and to our ambassador in Tel Aviv when he has to ride back and forth from one city to another to maintain a diplomatic myth. By moving our Embassy to Jerusalem, we will demonstrate that our friendship has reached the phase in which we accept Israel's right to designate her capital.

President Nixon set an example of reviewing diplomatic contacts and relations with the Chinese government in Peking. We can do no less with a nation with whom we have enjoyed a close friendship in this last quarter-century. I hope that

President Nixon, by the year 1973, goes to Jerusalem to dedicate a new United

States Embassy in that city, a city of God and man, a city precious to all Americans,

Christian and Jewish alike, a city that we can very appropriately recognize as a

world capital devoted to the ideal of peace and the brotherhood of man under the

fatherhood of God.

I intend to make my views known to our Secretary of State. We remain

mindful, however, of the spiritual and universal significance of Jerusalem and its

sacred meaning to three faiths--Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. There is no

question in my mind that the State of Israel will respect the religious considera

tions involving the holy shrines of other faiths, the access to such shrines, and

related factors of interfaith concern.

As we approach the Silver anniversary of Israel, a new assessment of

Israeli-American relations is in order. We have moved much(loser together in the

(more) -3- wake of the Six Day War of 1967. There is concern lest Israel win the war but lose the peace. There was fear that the United States might sell Israel down the river, that Israel might be forced to make one-sided concessions, that the United

States might not provide the required Phantom jets and other arms to maintain the essential military balance.

Pro-Communist Arab guerrillas were a dangerous factor. The Soviet role was unpredictable. Soviet troops and airmen arrived in Egypt. An ominous crisis existed along th~. Suez ·canal.

Today, if I may be permitted, we are beginning to see the silver lining.

The American-inspired cease-fire at the Suez Canal has brought twenty months of respite from warfare on that dangerous front.

We have recognized the need not only for a strong and secure Israel but also for a credible and powerful United States presence in the Mediterranean, the Middle

East, and the Persian Gulf. American interests are at stake. We cannot allow a power vacuum to develop.

Israel and Jordan are now showing signs of building on a situation that we hope is stabilizing. A new evolution of thinking appears to be bringing Israel and

Jordan closer together. At least, the shooting has stopped. Let us hope that talking is possible and that productiv~ results may be achieved by the Silver anniversary year.

The United States has not become a substitute in peace negotiations for any country directly involved. Our administration is convinced that Israel must be permitted to settle differences directly with her neighbors. The failure to make binding and contractual peace agreements in 1949 resulted in two additional wars--

1956 and 1967. That mistake must not be repeated.

We have helped stabilize the situation through a massive new flow of economic and military assistance to Israel. It began in 1969. From the year 1969 to the end of 1972 we will have provided Israel with more economic and military aid than in the entire period from 1948 to 1969. President Nixon has kept his word on the commitments he made in 1968.

The Nixon Administration's four year total of economic and military assistance to Israel will be larger than the combined figure for the 20-year period of 1948 through 1968. This is a good record for a good cause.

We realize that we cannot forecast the outcome of President Nixon's talks with the Russians in Moscow this May. But we are all free to speculate on some

(more) -4- developments that we would like to see flow from the summit conference. What happens in Moscow may have an immediate impact on the Middle East, an area of great strategic concern to both the United States and the Soviet Union.

Moscow must understand that military blackmail and manipulation will not work against Israel. Such an understanding will enhance the prospects of peace.

Uncertainty is dangerous. We have clarified our stand and are continuing to do so.

Just as there are changes in other parts of the world, a live-and-let-live attitude may grow among the states of the Middle East. If Washington and Peking can explore co-existence, why not Cairo and Jerusalem?

But peace will not come in any part of the world if others conclude that

America has grown weak and is withdrawing from her world responsibilities. When he visited the United States Sixth Fleet in 1970, President Nixon told NATO commanders of 11 the primary indispensable principle of American foreign policy." In the president's own words, "that principle is to maintain the necessary strength in the

Mediterranean to preserve the peace against those who might threaten the peace."

We have not voted large sums for Israel purely because of generosity or our admiration for the Jewish state or because so many Jews died in World War Two. Let us be frank about that. The American people, through the Congress, have supported this administration's policy on Israel because our policy is in the national security interest of the United States.

Our obligation as a nation is to our own security, first and foremost. The reason we have so strongly backed Israel goes beyond the justice of Israel's case.

The defense of Israel is very important to the security of the United States. Our policy is linked with the fate of the Mediterranean and the future of NATO. It is consistent with the desire of our nation to preserve freedom and to oppose totalitarianism.

I reject the political line now emerging that we should return to isolationism and refuse to involve ourselves with the Middle East. Some new leftists and extreme liberals have displayed complete inconsistency in proclaiming support for

Israel while undermining the administration's military capabilities world wide.

They oppose the development of new and better weapons for the defense of freedom while saying that they favor the provision of such weapons to Israel.

We must resist the blandishments of nee-isolationism. The Soviet Union is expanding its aggressive military build-up and sending its atomic submarines and

(more) -5- warships to our coastal waters. When we cease missile research and stop development of newer and better jets, we lessen our capacity to aid Israel. We also invite aggression.

If President Nixon is to be credible when he speaks in Moscow of our intentions in the Middle East, we must have a Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean that is provided with the most effective ships and personnel. The Russians must also know that we are continuing defense research and development. Otherwise, they will look at the chess board of power and find our moves lacking in credibility.

The President's emphasis is not on war or militarism. He is terminating a pre-existing conflict in the Far East. His concentration is on the emerging structure of peace.

Despite our restraint in military supply of Israel, the Soviet Union made new pledges and shipments of arms to Egypt during 1971. At the end of the year,

President Nixon felt obliged to reiterate that the United States would not allow the balance to be upset. The Soviet Union is continuing to build up its own military facilities in Egypt and to station increasingly sophisticated weaponry there. We are now sending new arms to Israel.

President Nixon last month reported to the Congress that "the Soviet Union's effort to use the Arab-Israeli conflict to perpetuate and expand its own military position in Egypt has been a matter of concern to the United States. 11 He pointed out that "the USSR has taken advantage of Egypt's increasing dependence on Soviet military supply to gain the use of naval and air facilities in Egypt. This has serious implications for the stability of the balance of power locally, regionally in the Eastern Mediterranean, and globally."

The Soviet Union recently introduced into Egypt the FOXBAT and other advanced

MIG aircraft and the SA-6 mobile surface-to-air missiles. They have also brought in TU-16 bombers equipped with long-range air-to-surface missiles. Much of this equipment is operated exclusively by Soviet military personnel.

According to what the President told Congress about this development, I concluded that he might very well tell the Russians how they can best avoid a major conflict in the Middle East. It is by restraint in arms supply to Egypt, by refraining from exploitation of the dispute to enhance the Soviet military position, and by encouraging the negotiation of peace. The Soviet Union has in the past attempted to draw a final political and territorial blueprint, including final

(more) -6·- boundaries, instead of cooperating in a process of negotiation.

The President remains convinced that there must be an understanding with

Moscow on the limits of acceptable Soviet behavior in the Middle East.

A secure peace in the Middle East requires stable relations on two levels- accommodation within the region and a balance among the powers outside.

Israel has reminded us that the Indian-Pakistani war demonstrated the impotence of the United Nations. I can accept the Israeli position that inter national guarantees are no substitute for the physical conditions and means for security.

As our Government continues to seek new patterns of order and a new era of international stability, new relationships must be shaped. I am very pleased by the new relationship developing between the United States and Israel.

It is also a source of satisfaction that Jews in substantial numbers are now able to emigrate from the Soviet Union. I have made known my conviction that the

President should keep the Soviet Union aware of American opinion on this compelling humanitarian issue.

As we move toward Israel's Silver anniversary, we are aware of this administration's determination to maintain the cease-fire, to keep a military balance, to offer any help desired if the parties achieve an interim settlement, and to impress upon the Soviet Union that strategic rivalry in the Middle East is

incompatible with regional peace and U.S.-Soviet relations.

I look forward to a Silver anniversary in which a real peace will free the energies and resources of the Middle East for economic and social progress.

The United States hopes for a new era of constructive and mutually beneficial

relations with all nations and all peoples.

As this year's recipient of the Silver award, I look forward, in the words

of the Hebrew prayer, to "next year in Jerusalem."

# # # ADDRESS BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICH. REPUBLICAN LBADER, U.S • HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BEFORE THE CLEVELAND REGION, ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA AT CLEVELAND, OHIO 4 P.M. SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 1972

FOR RELEASE AT 4 P.• M. SUNDAY

As an individual, I am deeply honored to be selected by the Cleveland Region

of the Zionist Organization of America as the second annual recipient of the Rabbi

Abba Hillel Silver Award. As the leader of my party in the House of Representatives,

I wish to accept this award not only in my own name but on behalf of all those

members of the Congress who cherish the memory of Rabbi Silver and the historic

role he played in bringing about a confluence in the great streams of Zionism and

Americanism.

It appears that I am the second Republican to be selected for this award.

Senate and House Republicans now share in this honor in view of the presentation

last year to the distinguished senator from Ohio, Bob Taft. My party remembers-- with reverence and affection--the sacred blessings invoked on our national political

conventions by Rabbi Silver when he led us in prayer. His spirit will continue to

guide us.

I am moved by the Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver Award and the importance of

commemorating the historic role of Dr. Silver in the development of Israeli-American

relations. It would be fitting to celebrate this coming year, the 25th anniversary

of the creation of the State of Israel, the Silver Anniversary of Israel, with a

gesture honoring Dr. Silver.

The unique celebration of the Silver Anniversary of Israel that I propose

would give new dimension and meaning to the relationship linking our two countries.

It would be in the service of peace and the normalization of relations among the

peoples of the world.

I propose that the United States Government take action by the Silver

Anniversary of Israel in 1973 to recognize Jerusalem as the historic and lawful

capital of Israel by moving the United States Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

It has become anachronistic and even an impediment to a regional peace settlement

for the United States to continue maintaining the fiction that Jerusalem is not

the capital of Israel.

(more) -2-

The Government of Israel h> 1.ocated in Jerusalem. The Israeli parliament,

the offices of the prime mini:;te:c and president, and the Israeli Foreign Ministry

and other agencies of government are in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is the historic, biblical, and revered capital of the Jewish nation. The re-born State of Israel,

approaching its Silver Anniversary, has established its permanence to the extent

that our government should recognize the capital city of Israel, Jerusalem, and move our embassy to the city designated by the sovereign state of Israel as its

capital.

Israeli-American relations have reached a point wherein it is absurd to go

on with the old, makeshift arrangement of maintaining our embassy in Tel Aviv in

defiance of the facts of life. To continue with the present arrangement might tend

to indicate that there is something temporary about the location of Israel's

capital. This situation does not encourage the Arabs to translate the present

cease-fire arrangements into a permanent and lasting peace.

President Nixon, by the year 1973, goes to Jerusalem to dedicate a new United

States Embassy in that city, a city of God and man, a city precious to all Americans,

Christian and Jewish alike, a city that we can very appropriately recognize as a

world capital devoted to the ideal of peace and the brotherhood of man under the

fatherhood of God.

I intend to make my views known to our Secretary of State. We remain

mindful, however, of the spiritual and universal significance of Jerusalem and its

sacred meaning to three faiths--Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. There is no

question in my mind that the State of Israel will respect the religious considera

tions involving the holy shrines of other faiths, the access to such shrines, and

related factors of interfaith concern.

As we approach the Silver anniversary of Israel, a new assessment of

Israeli-American relations is in order. We have moved muchdoser together in the

States might not provide the required Phantom jets and other arms to maintain the essential military balance.

Pro-Communist Arab guerrillas were a dangerous factor. The Soviet role was unpredictable. Soviet troops and airmen arrived in Egypt. An ominous crisis existed along the.. Suez ·canal.

Today, if I may be permitted, we are beginning to see the silver lining.

The American-inspired cease-fire at the Suez Canal has brought twenty months of respite from warfare on that dangerous front.

We have recognized the need not only for a strong and secure Israel but also for a credible and powerful United States presence in the Mediterranean, the Middle

East, and the Persian Gulf. American interests are at stake. We cannot allow a power vacuum to develop.

Israel and Jordan are now showing signs of building on a situation that we hope is stabilizing. A new evolution of thinking appears to be bringing Israel and

Jordan closer together. At least, the shooting has stopped. Let us hope that talking is possible and that productiv~ results may be achieved by the Silver anniversary year.

1956 and 1967. That mistake must not be repeated.

aid than in the entire period from 1948 to 1969. President Nixon has kept his word

on the commitments he made in 1968.

The Nixon Administration's four year total of economic and military assistance

to Israel will be larger than the combined figure for the 20-year period of 1948

through 1968. This is a good record for a good cause.

We realize that we cannot forecast the outcome of President Nixon's talks with the Russians in Moscow this May. But we are all free to speculate on some

Moscow must understand that military blackmail and manipulation will not work against Israel. Such an understanding will enhance the prospects of peace.

Uncertainty is dangerous. We have clarified our stand and are continuing to do so.

But peace will not come in any part of the world if others conclude that

America has grown weak and is withdrawing from her world responsibilities. When he visited the United States Sixth Fleet in 1970, President Nixon told NATO commanders of nthe primary indispensable principle of American foreign policy. 11 In the president's own words, "that principle is to maintain the necessary strength in the

1 Mediterranean to preserve the peace against those who might threaten the peace. '

Our obligation as a nation is to our own security, first and foremost. The reason we have so strongly backed Israel goes beyond the justice of Israel's case.

Israel while undermining the administration's military capabilities world wide.

They oppose the development of new and better weapons for the defense of freedom while saying that they favor the provision of such weapons to Israel.

We must resist the blandishments of nee-isolationism. The Soviet Union is expanding its aggressive military build-up and sending its atomic submarines and

(more) -5- warships to our coastal waters. When we cease missile research and stop development of newer and better jets, we lessen our capacity to aid Israel. We also invite aggression.

The President's emphasis is not on war or militarism. He is terminating a pre-existing conflict in the Far East. His concentration is on the emerging structure of peace.

Despite our restraint in military supply of Israel~ the Soviet Union made new pledges and shipments of arms to Egypt during 1971. At the end of the year,

The Soviet Union recently introduced into Egypt the FOXBAT and other advanced

According to what the President told Congress about this development, I concluded that he might very well tell the Russians how they can best avoid a major conflict in the I-liddle East. It is by restraint in arms supply to Egypt, by refraining from exploitation of the dispute to enhance the Soviet military position, and by encouraging the negotiation of peace. The Soviet Union has in the past attempted to draw a final political and territorial blueprint, including final

(more) -6-

boundaries, instead of cooperating in a process of negotiation.

The President remains convinced that there must be an understanding with

Moscow on the limits of acceptable Soviet behavior in the Middle East.

A secure peace in the Middle East requires stable relations on two levels-

accommodation within the region and a balance among the powers outside.

Israel has reminded us that the Indian-Pakistani war demonstrated the

impotence of the United Nations. I can accept the Israeli position that inter national guarantees are no substitute for the physical conditions and means for

security.

As our Government continues to seek new patterns of order and a new era of

international stability, new relationships must be shaped. I am very pleased by

the new relationship developing between the United States and Israel.

It is also a source of satisfaction that Jews in substantial numbers are now

able to emigrate from the Soviet Union. I have made known my conviction that the

President should keep the Soviet Union aware of American opinion on this compelling humanitarian issue.

As we move toward Israel's Silver anniversary, we are aware of this

administration's determination to maintain the cease-fire, to keep a military balance, to offer any help desired if the parties achieve an interim settlement, and

to impress upon the Soviet Union that strategic rivalry in the Middle East is

incompatible with regional peace and U.S.-Soviet relations.

I look forward to a Silver anniversary in which a real peace will free

the energies and resources of the Middle East for economic and social progress.

The United States hopes for a new era of constructive and mutually beneficial

relations with all nations and all peoples.

As this year's recipient of the Silver award, I look forward, in the words

of the Hebrew prayer, to "next year in Jerusalem. 11

# # #