Washington Report, July 11, 1983, Page 5

Lobby Activities

For Arabs:

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), in its latest attempt to work with other organizations on issues concerning peoples' basic rights, is playing an active role in the formation of a national coalition which plans to address a wide-ranging agenda of domestic and international problems.

ADC is one of 23 organizations and individuals organizing the "New Coalition of Conscience," which is drawing heavily on the teachings of Martin Luther King and the civil rights groupings which he helped bring about in the 1960's. The three large issues being addressed by the coalition are "jobs, peace and freedom." Among other things, the group plans to promote respect for human rights both in the U.S. and abroad; to try to reduce what it says are "massive U.S. arms exports" to regions such as the Middle East; and to work in general toward reducing the likelihood of armed confrontation.

Some representatives from ADC are on the planning and administrative committees, while others are helping write some of the group's issue papers. ADC has also provided the group with the names of active ADC members in an effort to organize support nationwide.

For late August, the coalition is planning a large demonstration in Washington to coincide with the 20th anniversary of Mr. King's "march on Washington" in 1963. ADC officials say they are hoping that around 1,000 of their members will take part.

Among the other organizations and individuals involved in the coalition are the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; Operation PUSH; the National Organization for Women; the National Council of Churches and the American Indian Movement, as well as several members of Congress.

For Israel:

A group of 60 influential Jewish Republicans which strongly supports the Reagan Administration and seeks to promote its views within the Jewish community has chosen a new chairman.

Richard Fox, a member of the executive committee of the Federation of Jewish Agencies of Greater Philadelphia, was elected head of the National Republican Jewish Coalition June 19. He replaced Albert Spiegel, a Los Angeles businessman who resigned last April at the same time that he stepped down from his unofficial post as an advisor to the President on Jewish affairs. Mr. Fox will not assume Mr. Spiegel's role as advisor, however.

Mr. Fox said in an interview with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that during his tenure he does not anticipate any disputes with other Jewish organizations—such as the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations—on the question of who speaks for whom. The conference of presidents is generally recognized within the Jewish community as being the group which officially represents Jewish Americans in dealings with the executive branch.

The coalition's role, according to Mr. Fox, is "to help the Administration help the Jewish community and for the Jewish community to help the Administration." Toward this end, he added, the group tries to keep the Administration abreast of the interests and concerns of Jewish Americans, for example on matters concerning Israel. At the same time, the coalition is now seeking support for President Reagan's policy in Central America by playing up, among other things, what it says are the activities of the PLO in Nicaragua.

Mr. Fox will be assisted by two vice chairmen: Gordon Zachs of Columbus, Ohio, and George Klein of New York City. Max Fisher of Detroit is honorary chairman.

Meanwhile, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) of B'nai B'rith has begun a campaign to discredit a film about Palestinian women which was made under a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

The 30-minute film, "Women Under Siege," is the last in a series of three films on Middle Eastern women produced by Elizabeth Fernea of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. The ADL complained about the film to NEH chairman William Bennett, alleging that it was "unabashed propaganda for the Palestine Liberation Organization."

Responding to the complaint in late June, Mr. Bennett said: "I have seen the film, and I personally think the Anti-Defamation League is right. Nothing of this film is in the humanities; there is no understanding, nor appreciation of the discipline of the humanities to be gained by viewing the film."