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Israel’s Autonomy Proposals Reported to Conform in Every Detail to the Camp David Accords

February 2, 1982
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Israel today published the autonomy proposals Premier Menachem Begin presented to Secretary of State Alexander Haig at their meetings here last week, insisting that they conform “fully and in every detail, in letter and spirit” to the Camp David agreements “while safeguarding the interests of all concerned.”

The document was issued by the Government Press Office here at the specific orders of the Prime Minister’s Office. The Foreign Ministry had agreed last week to withhold the material at the request of the U.S.

Under the Israeli proposal, the powers to be granted the self-governing authority on the West Bank and Gaza Strip would include most internal civilian functions but not such sensitive areas as control of water sources. The Israeli proposals do not specify the size of the self-governing body but state, “The number of members will conform with the functions listed.”

Israel is determined to prevent the self-governing administrative council from developing into an independent political entity. It was learned unofficially, that Israel suggested a council of no more than 20 members as against 40 proposed by the U.S. and 80 by Egypt. The body would be elected.

After its establishment, the Israeli Military Government and its civilian administration would be withdrawn and Israeli armed forces would retire to specified security locations “in full conformity with the Camp David agreement.”

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