Philadelphia PA, Bulletin
Scott Asks CIA To Stop Gifts to Foes of Israel
Says Capital Group Got $2.3 Million From 10 Foundations
By LAWRENCE.M.:O’ROURKE
Bulletin Washington Bureau
Washington, March 23, 1967 -Sen. Hugh Scott (R-Pa) said today that he wants the Central Intelligence Agency to stop giving money to the American ‘Friends of the Middle East, an anti-Israel organization.
Scott said that the American Friends of the Middle East, a Washington group, has’ received $2.3 million from the CIA through ten foundations since 1951.
He said that the Dearborn Foundation of Chicago gave the AFME $1.5 million. Most of the foundations on Scott’s list were previously identified as the means with which the CIA provided funds to private groups, including the National Student Association.
Scott asked President Johnson in a letter “to bring an immediate halt to any U.S. government funds that are going to the American Friends of the Middle, and similar organizations, through whatever conduit.”
Asks IRS investigation
Scott also asked the President to have the Internal Revenue Service investigate the tax-ex-empt status of the foundations, and to find out, without jeopardizing national security, how much government money has gone to the AFME and the pur- poses for which it Was spent.
The AFME was started, said Scott, ”by people who fought the establishment of Israel in the 1940s and who have nursed grievances against U. S. policy in the Middle East.
“The organization functions primarily as a forum for pro Arab and ‘anti-Israel speeches in the United States,” said Scott. “AFME created and supports the organization of Arab students, a major focus of anti- Israel propaganda in this country, which actively campaigns on over 100 U. S. College campuses.”
Statements by the AFME on Israel, said Scott, are “in sharp conflict with U. S. foreign policy.
Not Blanket Criticism
He said he does not intend a blanket criticism of the CIA, which performs many functions vital to American national security.
“Neither am I critical,” Scott continued, “of any organization which has as its objectives to reduce tensions in the Middle : East or to encourage full and free exchange of students be tween the United States and all nations of the Middle East.
“But I do object strenuously to any use of U. S.-government money for an organization whose principal objective is to generate anti-Israel propaganda, in the United States and to con duct other activities that run counter to the stated objectives’ of American foreign policy,” said Scott. .
He expressed ‘concern that such activities increase tensions in the Middle East.
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