Premier Menachem Begin today expressed optimism that with the departure of the Palestine Liberation Organization from Beirut proceeding as scheduled, the military stage of the war in Lebanon has concluded. But Begin said that this should not be taken as an indication to others that Israel has foreclosed the possibility of other military actions.
At a meeting of the Knesset Security and Foreign Affairs Committee, Begin said Israel has no intention to attack Syria, whose occupation force continues to occupy parts of eastern Lebanon, or Jordan, which yesterday warmly welcomed several hundred of the first PLO evacuees from the Lebanese capital. The Israeli Premier remained firm on his position that if attacked, Israel would not hesitate to return fire.
Today’s committee meeting was also the scene of sharp exchanges between Begin and opposition Labor Party leader Shimon Peres, who charged that the government had no need to go beyond the originally stated intentions of the “Peace for Galilee” operation. The stated objectives of the operation were to push the PLO out of rocket and artillery range of Israel’s northern border settlements, an estimated distance of 25 miles.
Peres condemned the bombing of west Beirut, saying the action, joined with the blockades imposed by the Israel Defense Force around the Lebanese capital cutting off water supplies, has caused damage to Israel’s international image. He said that at no time during the Labor Alignment governments of the past had civilian targets been bombed.
Begin used the opportunity at the committee meeting to settle scores that have developed between the two factions concerning the war effort. “One cannot speak today of the Alignment,” he charged. “Every member of your faction is expressing a different view.”
EXPLAINS ISRAEL’S ORIGINAL INTENTION
Begin explained that Israel had no intention originally to move into west Beirut but said that if the government had declared so publicly, the PLO would have not been pressured to evacuate the capital. He accused the Labor Alignment of failing to view the actions in Lebanon in proper perspective and not being able to admit to the government’s achievements in ridding Lebanon of the PLO.
Begin said he could cite “tens of examples” of where the Labor governments “did just the same” as his Likud leadership acted in the Lebanon action. But Peres replied: “Why even the Deputy Premier demanded the dismissal of the Defense Minister,” Ariel Sharon.
According to Begin, no minister had made such a demand in the Cabinet. But Peres retorted, “Although the name has not been publicized, I believe the journalists who wrote that these comments were made by a senior minister. There have been in recent weeks reports that the Cabinet was sharply divided on the 10-hour bombing Sharon had ordered on August 12 which continued until President Reagan called from Washington demanding that the bombing cease.
WANTS COMMISSION TO STUDY THE WAR
Meanwhile, Labor MK Yossi Sarid said the entire war was unnecessary and repeated his earlier demand for a commission to be formed to study the “development of the war.” Sarid said that as a result of the Lebanon action, the PLO may have strengthened its political standing and terrorism may increase. He contended the PLO was militarily weak in Lebanon prior to the Israeli action.
Begin said, “If you convince your own party to make such a demand officially the commission will be erected in 24 hours, but it will also look into the behavior of some opposition members during the fighting.”
Begin also charged Peres with having “sold” his ideas of Israeli concessions on the West Bank during his recent visit to the U.S. Begin said Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger has already begun initiating proposals in that direction.
Nevertheless, Begin said Israel would soon resume the long-stalled negotiations for Palestinian autonomy on the West Bank and Gaza Strip. He said, however, that Israel would not accept Egyptian dictations, which was an apparent response to a statement published yesterday by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak calling for a halt to Israeli settlement policies in the occupied territories.
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.
