Philip M. Klutznick, the newly elected president of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), declared today that Egyptian President Anwar Sadat’s announcement that he would come to Jerusalem if officially invited and Premier Menachem Begin’s prompt invitation to Sadat, is “an irreversible new element” in the history of the Mideast.
Addressing a press conference at the Regency Hotel here, Klutznick, who succeeded Dr. Nahum Goldmann as president of the WJC, said that he is “very, very thrilled about the new development.” He added that this is an “important event” and both Begin and Sadat should be complimented by the world.
Klutznick, a former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and a former president of B’nai B’rith, is scheduled to leave tomorrow for Israel for a short visit, but he said today that he will extend his stay in Israel if the Sadat trip materializes.
Klutznick disclosed that as recently as 12 days ago, negotiations with a “third party” were taking place on the possibility that a WJC delegation would visit Cairo. “But this is obviously now something like yesterday’s news” in view of the recent dramatic events, Klutznick said.
Answering a question as to whether he saw any “booby traps” in a possible Sadat visit to Jerusalem, Klutznick said that any time heads of state meet, there is “a possibility of errors” in the process of negotiations. But he added that he was sure Begin had been “advised” on such a possibility.
Responding to a question on his role as the president of the WJC, Klutznick said that he would express “only the policy of the WJC” and that he would never speak for himself as his immediate predecessor did. He sold he will fight within the WJC for his views but he will always represent the views of the organization. Asked about the attitude of the WJC toward the Palestine Liberation Organization, Klutznick said: “Jews are aware of the Palestinian problem, but with very few exceptions, there is a genuine objection to a PLO state.” A few days ago Klutznick received a cable from Begin, signed “Your friend,” congratulating him on his new position and stating, in part, “I’ll do whatever possible to assist you in your most important responsible work.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
