ADL Urges “vigorous Steps” by U.S. to Bring Egypt Back to Talks with Israel

The Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith urged the U.S. government today to review its position on Middle East issues, to recognize that “it is Egypt and not Israel which has interrupted the process of negotiations” and to take “vigorous steps” to bring Egypt to the bargaining table with Israel.

In a resolution citing what it called inconsistencies between Administration acts and its stated commitment to Israel’s security, the ADL further urged the Administration to “call upon Saudi Arabia to demonstrate that it is a moderate state, not only in its anti-Communist posture, but also by a willingness to move toward peace with Israel and to terminate financial aid to terrorist organizations, such as the Palestine Liberation Organization.” The resolution, approved at the concluding session of the three-day meeting here of ADL’s National Executive Committee, said that “the recent direction” of United States Middle East policy is of “deep concern.”

Stating that it understands the Administration’s policy of furthering relations with non-extremist Arab states, the ADL said it recognizes “the practical considerations” which motivate this policy. “But,” the resolution asserted, “American Middle East policy should take into account the strengths of the United States. It must not be bored on a sacrifice of Israeli and long-term United States interest in an effort to purchase Arab favor and oil stability. Such a policy is doomed to failure.”

DINITZ EXPLAINS DISAPPOINTMENT WITH SADAT

In Washington Thursday, Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S., Simcha Dinitz, said Israel was disillusioned with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat’s peace initiative of last November “not because Israel has changed its mind but because the President of Egypt made a certain strategic decision shortly after his visit to Jerusalem that he did not come to negotiate peace–he came to tell us the conditions of peace.” Dinitz spoke at a symposium on the Middle East sponsored jointly by the Histadrut Culture Exchange Institute and the AFL-CIO at the George F. Meany Center.

Regarding peace talks, Dinitz observed that “If you ask Israel exactly what these borders (the 1967 lines) will mean to it in a peace agreement before you negotiate, you have to ask the same thing of the Arab countries. Israel has never said that the present borders are the final borders,” he said. Dinitz also told the 100 participants in the symposium that he believes the “special relationship between the U.S. and Israel will continue to exist whether a certain vote or decision (by the U.S.) pleases us and whether a certain move that Israel takes pleases or displeases the United States.”