In an expression of solidarity with the State of Israel and support for the people of Israel, more than 3,000 people, members of American Jewish organizations, gathered at the Sheraton Centre here last night to pay tribute to Premier Menachem Begin on the eve of his return to Israel at the end of a 10-day visit to the United States.
Greeted with Hebrew songs and a long-standing ovation by the enthusiastic audience, Begin said that he was pleased with the results of his meetings in Washington. “I will leave for home with satisfaction in my heart. I think I did a good job,” he declared.
Begin, who delivered a lengthy speech which was interrupted by applause many times, vowed to continue the search for peace, but he said Israel wants “peace with security.”
He repeated his staunch opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state in Judaea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip and declared that Israel will never negotiate with the “so called PLO.” He said that in his talks with President Reagan the American leader “gave me reassurance” that the United States will not negotiate with the Palestine Liberation Organization.
NO CONFRONTATION ON AWACS ISSUE
Begin said that there is no “confrontation” between Israel and the U.S. on the proposed sale of AWACS aircraft to Saudi Arabia, but only “a difference of opinion” between friends. He reiterated, however, that AWACS in Saudi hands will endanger Israel’s national security. But, Begin said, the decision about the sale is a matter between the Administration and Congress and Israel does not want to interfere in the decision-making process by those two branches of the American government.
While Begin was feted and hailed by Jewish leaders inside the hotel, some 15,000 Hasidic Jews demonstrated outside, protesting archaeological digs in Jerusalem and the alleged desecration of ancient Jewish graves. The demonstration, which was loud and emotional but otherwise peaceful, was aimed at Begin personally, describing him as “Nazi,” and “terrorist.”
In a press release issued by the organizers of the demonstration, Begin was described as “the head of a wicked, atheistic state, masquerading of late as religious government.” The demonstrators, mostly Satmar Hasidim, also protested against what they said was Israeli police “brutality” against religious Jews in Israel who protested the archaeological digs.
Before attending the rally by Jewish organizations, Begin received the New York City Gold Medal from Mayor Edward Koch at a reception for some 1000 people at City Hall. Egyptian President Anwar Sadat received the same Medal during his recent visit to the city.
The rally of support for Israel last night was sponsored by The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, New York UJA-Federation Joint Campaign, State of Israel Bonds and the National United Jewish Appeal.
This morning, Begin flew to Plains, Ga. to meet with former President Jimmy Carter and was scheduled to leave for Israel from New York tonight. Welcoming Begin in Plains before some 800 people on a local athletic field, Carter repeatedly emphasized the importance of resolving the Palestinian problem if a lasting peace is to be achieved in the Middle East.
“The situation is serious, but we know it is not hopeless because the people of Israel and your neighbors both want peace and because you and President Sadat both know that for Jews the most important issue is the security of Israel and for Arabs the most important issue is Palestinian rights,” Carter said.
The former President was referring to the autonomy talks between Israel and Egypt, due to be resumed in Cairo Sept. 23-24. His remarks stressing a resolution of the Palestinian problem contrasted sharply with the down-playing of that issue by the White House during Begin’s meeting with Reagan.
Carter reminded Begin that at Camp David “We pledged to resolve the Palestinian problem in all aspects, recognizing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and their just requirements so that the Palestinians will participate in the determination of their future.”
Begin responded by saying, “We want to carry out all the commitments of the Camp David agreements.” He said that without the efforts of President Carter, there would have been no peace treaty between Israel and Egypt.
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.
