We now have a new Secretary of State. whose appointment was just confirmed by the Senate with a great many Senators pointing to his outstanding credentials and expressing the hope that his appointment might lead to a reevaluation of the posture of the United States with respect to the problems of the Middle East between the Israeli Government and that of the Arab States. Now we follow on the heels of that with a resolution which will be taken by some as a further statement of blind support for the Israeli cause and for the policies which have so polarized opinion in this country and elsewhere around the world. The Senator from Minnesota rightly says that we should in the name of humanity call upon the Austrian Government to consider the plight of the Russian Jews who seek to emigrate to Israel. I think he is entirely correct when he makes that statement. but in the name of humanity we should also take another look at the problem of the Palestinian refugees. whose plight has gone so long nearly Ignored by the world. There is an evenhandedness called for In connection with this problem that so afflicts our domestic policies as well as our international politics. I think this is not the time for us to further polarize that discussion. but to call for a reevaluation and a renewal of dialog. It is time for us. rather than to raise our voices. to still our voices and allow the new Secretary of State the opportunity for new initiatives in seeking a permanent solution to the problems that afflict all df us in this area of the world. So. while I do not rise at this time in opposition to the resolution offered by the Senator from Minnesota. I think we ought not to pass this point in time without reevaluating the extent to which that will be read by others as a polarized position on the part of the United States. when our position should instead be viewed as a renewal of humanitarian interest. which should be expressed toward the refugees on both sides of this unfortunate conflict. as well as those who seek to emigrate from the Soviet Union to Israel. I think in passing we also ought to note that the very relocation assistance camp that is being closed by the Government of Austria also processes Jews who have sought to return to the Soviet Union after having gone to Israel. who finding life there not to their liking. have sought to return to the Soviet Union. and have found themselves turned down by the Soviet Government. There are Jews in that camp in Austria who seek to move in both directions. and I think our humanitarianism ought to be broad enough to consider the plights of those who seek to move in either direction. as well as those Palestinian refugees whose plight has not been solved after all these many years. and is the source of a festering wound that poisons the relationships between nations and affects domestic politics. I thank the Senator for yielding.
Keywords matched
emigrate refugees