Catholic Cardinal
Praises Condition
of Holy Land Sites
Jewish Leadership
Challenged,
Role of Jewish
Academicians
Under Scrutiny
At a lunch hosted by Tourism Minister Moshe Kol, the Car-
dinal said there is "no doubt in my heart" that more Christian
pilgrims could and should be encouraged to visit Israel.
Cardinal Cursi and the Italian pilgrims visited Jewish, Mos-
lem and Christian shrines during their tour, and met with reli-
gious officials from all three groups as well as Israeli govern-
ment officials.
THE JEWISH NEWS
Commentary
Page 2
LXVIII, No. 26
JERUSALEM (JTA) — An Italian Cardinal who headed a
visiting group of pilgrims to Israel last week publicly praised the
state in which the Christian holy places are maintained and
stressed that he appreciated the full freedom of worship ac-
corded to Holy Land Christians.
Cardinal Cursi of Naples led a group of 40 pilgrims
and churchmen from southern Italy.
Series Starts
on Page 56
f Jewish Events
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Bicentennial
Feature:
A Chronology
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March 5, 1976
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Simon Pledges Trade With Israel;
U.S. Anti-Boycott Stand Affirmed
U.S. District Attorneys
Lash at UN Resolution
During Tour of Israel
JERUSALEM (JTA) —
A group of 12 district at-
torneys from the United
States said Monday night
that they had found no
traces of racism in Israel
during their nine-day tour
of the country at the invi-
tation of Israel Justice
Minister Haim Zadok.
They said the results of
their visit only confirmed
their condemnation of the
ROBERT LEONARD
United Nations General
Assembly's Nov. 10, 1975 resolution that identified Zionism
as a form of racism.
They also assailed the UN for "glamorizing" terror-
ism—an apparent reference to its recognition of the Pales-
tine Liberation Organization — which, they said, under-
mines law and order all over the world.
The visit to Israel was sponsored by the National
District Attorneys Association in cooperation with the
American Zionist Federation and was undertaken at Za-
dok's invitation. The group was headed by Robert F.
Leonard, of Flint, who is Genessee County prosecutor
and the association's president.
During their stay in Israel, the group studied the coun-
try's legal and penal systems, including such aspects as
courtroom procedure, appeals, incarceration and capital
punishment.
They met with government and law enforcement offi-
cials, Knesset members and Arab leaders from the adminis-
tered territories.
U.S. Treasury Secretary William Simon Wednesday pledged his government's
JERUSALEM (JTA)
support of efforts to encourage American investments in Israel and Israeli exports to America. Simon spoke
to newsmen at the Knesset following the signing of an agreement setting up the Israel-U.S. Binational
Industrial Research and Development Foundation. Simon and his party went from the Knesset to Lod
Airport for a flight to Damascus. They were in Cairo Wednesday night on the fourth leg of a Mideast tour
that had started in Saudi Arabia.
Simon said the Israel government would be setting up a marketing organization in the U.S., to promote
Israeli exports, and he would "make a personal effort to assist this project." The secretary also pledged his
personal aid in launching the Israel-U.S. Business Council, whose first meeting, in Washington March 17,
he would address. That council plans to send a high-powered group of American business executives to
Israel soon to survey at first hand investment opportunities.
In a joint statement issued by Simon and his host, Finance Minister Yehoshua Rabinowitz, the
U.S. official also pledged U.S. government assistance "to Israeli industrialists visiting the U.S. to
seek out ties with U.S. firms." The U.S. government would also "continue to publicize investment
opportunities offered in Israel," the joint statement said.
Simon told newsmen — and there was reference to this too in the joint statement — that the U.S. was
in principle favorable to encouraging defense-related companies in the U.S. to go into business with Israeli
producers. Simon acknowledged that he had dis-
cussed this with Shimon Peres during his meet-
ing with him Tuesday night, but said the matter
was highly classified and therefore refused to go
into specifics.
According to reports, two of the possibili-
MEXICO CITY (JTA) — Mexican Foreign Minister Al-
ties under consideration are Israeli vegetables to
fonso Garcia Robles told visiting Israeli Foreign Minister
feed U.S. soldiers in Europe, and Israeli servic-
Yigal Allon Monday that he hoped the "misunderstanding"
ing of U.S. warplanes stationed in Europe. Si-
between Israel and Mexico is over, a senior Israeli Foreign
mon said that where Israel could produce weap-
Ministry official said.
ons systems cheaper than in the U.S., it should
He said the hope was expressed during a luncheon Ro-
bles gave for Allon.
be encouraged. He appeared to indicate that the
The Israeli official agreed with Robles assessment.
U.S. would purchase such systems.
He noted that Mexico is the only one of the 72 countries
Asked about the Ar'b boycott, Simon said
that voted for the United Nations General Assembly Res-
— as he had on several occasions during his Is-
olution equating racism with Zionism to have sent its
rael visit — that President Ford and his Admin-
foreign minister to Israel—Emilio Rabasa, who then
istration were firmly against it. Ford's state-
held the post—and since then has refrained from sup-
ment Nov. 20 had been "very powerful," he said,
porting anti-Israeli votes.
however, this opposition would not make the
Allon also called upon President Luis Echeverria Mon-
boycott disappear overnight.
day and was welcomed warmly. Echeverria said he hoped
—
Mexico Trade Talk
Topic of Allon Trip
(Continued on Page 8)
(Continued on Page 8)
Ford to Mark 50th Anniversary of Synagogue Council
Newport's Touro Synagogue
NEW YORK — In a small brick synagogue on a quiet street in Newport, Rhode
Island, more than 250 Jewish men and women from across the United States will
gather in early May to mark the Bicentennial of the American Revolution and the 50th
anniversay of the Synagogue Council of America.
The highlight of the day-long convocation, a dedicatory ceremony in the historic
Touro Synagogue, will be led by President Ford, following the tradition of President
George Washington whose famous letter to the Jews of Newport, ". . . to bigotry no
sanction, to persecution no assistance . . ." remains a central document in the history
of the American commitment to freedom of religion.
"This historic occasion will be a spiritual exploration of the Jewish experi-
ence in America," said Sol Linowitz, chairman of the Bicentennial-Jubilee Com-
mittee of the Synagogue Council, whose members include distinguished American
Jews from all walks of life. Linowitz is former ambassador to the Organization of
American States.
Each of SCA's constituent agencies, including the congregational and rabbinic
bodies of the three branches of Judaism — Orthodox, Conservative and Reform — will
send 15 delegates to the convocation. Other guests will represent a wide spectrum of
civic and political leaders as well as personalities from the arts and sciences and Chris-
tian religious denominations.
Included in the Synagogue Council's plans for the day-long Bicentennial-Jubilee
event are informal panel discussions on the American Jewish experience, as well as a
reception and' dinner.
At&
SOL LINOWITZ