At Ben Gurion University Sadat Stresses Future, Begin, Accomplishments to Date

Egyptian President Anwar Sadat urged moderation rather than “self righteousness” as the means of assuring “comprehensive peace in the Mideast.” Sadat spoke at Ben Gurion University here. He began his brief speech noting the common heritage of both Islam and Judaism, which originated with the common forefather-Abraham.

Sadat noted that Jews and Moslems have had good relations through many generations, even at times when the relations between Jews and non-Jews elsewhere deteriorated. “It is the responsibility of those among us who are endowed with vision, to revive such spirit today,” Sadat said. In an implied reference to the forthcoming autonomy talks, Sadat said the challenge now is not one of scoring a point here and there, rather building a viable structure for peace. “Fanatism and self righteousness are no answer to the complex problems of today. The answer is tolerance, compassion and magnanimity. We will be judged not by the hard positions we took, but by the wounds we heal the souls we save and the suffering we eliminate.”

Sadat made a point of noting once again that the progress made so far, was but the first step toward a “comprehensive peace. If was a giant step. . . but it must be followed up and completed. Events of the recent past have shouted away all concepts of security based on territorial expansion and denial of national rights. The real key to security is genuine acceptance, without reservation. I have no doubt that you will demonstrate in the months ahead, the willingness to live in peace with all your neighbors, including the Palestinian people, Sadat declared.

In reply, Premier Menachem Begin also recalled the heritage of the Jewish people, returning to their homeland after 19 centuries. Unlike Sadat, however, Begin stressed the positive prospects lying in the future. Practical steps have already been taken of normalization, he said, noting that Israeli ships have passed through the Suez Canal and the transfer of El Arish to Egyptian sovereignty. “I am convinced that both countries are determined to carry out faithfully all the commitments under the peace treaty,” he said.

BEGIN CITES ISRAEL’S “GOOD FAITH”

To the applause of the audience, Begin sent in his name and in the name of Sadat “Thanks and greetings to President Jimmy Carter who rendered to us historic services in bringing about this historic achievement.”

In an indirect response to Sadat, Begin said “Israel has already given proof of her good faith.” He noted that the Jordanians refused the invitation to join the autonomy talks. “If we acted by the letter itself we could have asked to postpone the negotiations until Jordan joined the talks. But we do not say so. Notwithstanding the fact that Jordan refuses to join the talks, we have already started to negotiate, with the purpose of reaching an agreement,” Begin said. He noted that the “constructive idea of autonomy is ours. At Camp David it was accepted by both the Egyptian and the American delegations. It is a progressive, noble idea.” He condemned the “genocidal PLO”, explaning the need for Israel to be in charge of security in the occupied territories.

PRESIDENT NAVON WELCOMES SADAT

President Sadat was officially welcomed to Beersheba by President Yitzhak Navon of Israel who urged him to speed up the normalization process and thereby. “correct the distorted image of Israel as reflected in the Egyptian press.” Navon also stressed the great sacrifice made by Israel in relinquishing a territory of such strategic importance as Sinai. “But the price was a small one to pay for the advent of peace,” he said.

In his response, Sadat departed from his prepared text to reply to Navon’s reference to Sinai. Referring to his visit to Israel and speech before the Knesset in November, 1977, the Egyptian leader declared, “I did not come to the Knesset to secure additional land. Territories will not ensure security. I came rather to open a new page between our two countries. With brotherhood, friendship and neighborliness, we will succeed in bringing peace closer.”