Shamir: U.S. Support for Israel is ‘a Bargain’ in Return for Benefits to U.S. Interests in the Middl

Israeli Premier Yitzhak Shamir stressed today that the United States’ support for Israel “is a bargain” in return for the benefits to the U.S. interests in the Middle East.

Shamir, who concluded his three-day visit to Washington today, made this statement in response to a question at a National Press Club luncheon in which he was asked what Israel gives in return for what it takes from the U.S.

“The relationship between the United States and Israel is not based on a quid pro quo or a basis of give and take, ” he replied. “We have common interests, common goals, political goals, moral goals.”

“If we are supported by the United States it is because by our existence, by our activities in the Middle East, we are supporting also the American interests, the interests of the free world and the interests of humanity and democracy all over the world.”

Shamir suggested that the audience compare the amount the U.S. spends in Europe with what it spends in Israel. “American support for Israel from the point of view of American interests is a bargain,” he said.

WILL NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT PAST U.S. POLICY

The Premier, who had two days of talks with President Reagan Monday and Tuesday, said, “I will never complain about the past” in relation to U.S. policy. “We know that the support of the American people for Israel doesn’t depend on political conditions” and is independent of the various political decisions of the U.S. government.

“I feel in the United States always like at home, like among friends,” Shamir said. He added that in Israel the special relationship with the U.S. is not a “controversial issue” but accepted by all political parties except the Communists.

Shamir rejected the view that U.S.-Israeli differences over the settlements on the West Bank and President Reagan’s peace initiative should have prevented the two countries from agreeing yesterday to fuller cooperation in the Mideast, including a joint military-political committee.

“It’s normal to have differences,” he said. “Aren’t there differences between the United States and many NATO countries? It’s normal.” But he said these differences should not prevent the two countries from strengthening and deepening the ties in areas where they are in agreement.

Shamir said that the settlement issue has been “very exaggerated.” He stressed that the U.S. has stated that Jews should be allowed to settle anywhere in the land of Israel including Samaria, Judaea, and Gaza and that the settlements are not illegal. The Premier maintained that Israel never “committed itself not to build villages and cities” in any part of these areas.

“We are committed to negotiate about the political future, of the political status of these territories of Samaria, Judaea and Gaza and we are faithful to this commitment, ” Shamir declared.

He said Israel would like to resume soon the negotiations with Egypt and with Jordan and with the Palestinian Arabs as part of the Egyptian or Jordanian delegation. “If we will start negotiations about peace and if all the parties will be determined not to interrupt these negotiations until agreement will be reached we will be successful,” he said.

LEBANON IS TEST CASE FOR THE FREE WORLD

In his short prepared speech, Shamir called Lebanon a “microcosm of the Middle East” and a “test case” for the free world. “It is challenge to the free world and to its resolve and capacity to meet aggression and subversion with firmness and determination,” he declared.

Shamir said that Israel along with the U.S. supports a free independent Lebanon and the withdrawal of all foreign forces from that country. He reiterated that the May 17 Israeli-Lebanese agreement is the only means for Israeli withdrawal and said that Israel will not agree to any changes, noting that it had made many changes during the long negotiations for the agreement.

In response to a question, Shamir said Israel was “worried” about its relationship with Egypt since the Egyptians are not living up to the terms of their peace treaty with Israel. But he said Israel is ready to do what it can to improve relations with Egypt as well as with all Arab countries. But he stressed that the U.S. can play a major role in convincing Egypt to uphold the treaty.

When Shamir was asked if Israel had nuclear weapons, he made a motion as if tired of this question. “Israel doesn’t have any nuclear weapons,” he replied. “We’ll never use nuclear weapons, we’ll not be the first in the Middle East to introduce nuclear weapons.”