Spd Delegation Says Visit to Israel Clarified Misunderstandings

The leader of an 11-member delegation representing the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the senior partner in West Germany’s governing coalition, said here today the group’s meetings with Israeli leaders have cleared up “many a misunderstanding of our political actions.” Herbert Wehner, chairman of the party’s Bundestag faction and Chancellor Willy Brandt’s No 2 man spoke at a press conference as the delegation prepared to leave after a four-day visit to Israel as guests of the Labor Party which included a long private conversation with Premier Golda Meir. He said. “We are convinced that without negotiations between Israel and the Arab countries no peace can be found.” However, he added. “We are not teachers or referees. Israel must find her own way.” The purpose of the visit apparently was to dispel doubts that have clouded Israel’s relations with Bonn, particularly since Chancellor Brandt embarked on his “Ostpolitik” seeking West German rapprochement with the Soviet Union and the Communist bloc. The visitors assured their Israeli hosts that nothing has altered the Federal government’s attitude toward Israel. “Our visit comes to demonstrate the amity between our two big parties and two countries.” Wehner said. One member of the West German parliamentary group. Hans Jurgen Wishniewsky, secretary of the SPD, was a controversial figure in Israel. Last September, when some 300 passengers and crewmen of hijacked airliners were being held hostage by Palestinian terrorists in Jordan, Wishniewsky visited Amman, reportedly to make a deal for the release of West German hostages, leaving the Jewish passengers to their fate. Today. Wishniewsky said the press reports stemmed from a “misunderstanding.” He said he went to Amman to offer himself for “all of the hostages.” He said he started his talks “only after the international Red Cross gave up efforts.” Wishniewsky conceded that he had “excellent” relations with the Arabs but claimed it was an “advantage” because it enabled him to convey Israel’s views to them.