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Blum:summit Accords Made Possible Because of Major Israeli Concessions

October 4, 1978
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The Camp David agreements were made possible because of major Israeli concessions in the cause of peace, according to Yehuda Blum, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, who spoke last Friday before the Israel Bond National Campaign Cabinet at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

In analyzing the Camp David results, Blum said, “If peace does come closer as a result of the agreements, it is a triumph for Israel, Egypt and President Carter.” It cannot be construed as an “Israeli victory,” he said, because Israel has made major concessions in giving up territorial claims to the Sinai peninsula, in dismantling settlements in the north, and in agreeing to an “autonomy plan” for the Arabs in Judaea and Samaria.

“To promote the peace-making process,” Blum asserted, “Israel has made major sacrifices and it is in this light that the agreements must be understood.”

Sam Rothberg, general chairman of the Israel Bond Organization, declared that a cash mobilization drive will be launched throughout the United States and Canada for the next 30 days–from Oct. 4 to Nov. 3–to provide Israel with immediate funds from individuals who already have promised to invest in Israel Bonds. He stressed that “a strong Israel made it possible for President Sadat to visit Jerusalem last year” and “a strong Israel made the Camp David summit result possible.”

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