Text transcribed from original caption.

PHOTO NUMBER:

PCJ-53547

U.S. CLERGYMEN SUPPORT ISRAEL ON SETTLEMENTS' ISSUE

WASHINGTON--President Carter leans across the Cabinet room table at the

White House to receive a book as a gift from Israeli Prime Minister

Menachem Begin, at the start of two days of talks on Palestinian

autonomy on Apr. 15.

Just hours before the meeting, a group of conservative

Protestant leaders met with Mr. Begin, and expressed their support for

Israeli settlement of the West Bank. The ministers acknowledged "the

right of Jewish settlements" in the area and proclaimed their

solidarity "with the pioneers who are returning today to the heartland

of the Jewish nation."

The delegation of clergy, which included Adrian Rogers, president

of the Southern Baptist Convention, who took part in an individual

capacity, and Jerry Falwell, prominent radio and television preacher

and leader of conservative religious and political causes, read a

letter asserting that "the Land of Israel encompasses Judea

and Samaria as integral parts of the Jewish patrimony, with Jerusalem

its one indivisible capital."

Credit Must Read:

RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO

(Reproduction Rights Not Transferable) (A-WAS-4B-80-JH)