Begin; Israel May Release Security Prisoners As a Humanitarian Move, Not As a ‘gesture’ to Egypt

Premier Menachem Begin today confirmed reports that Israel is considering the release of Palestinian security prisoners. But he insisted that this would be purely a “humanitarian” move, not a “gesture” to Egypt connected with the planned resumption of the autonomy talks.

Begin told Israeli diplomatic correspondents he had been approached regarding the release of prisoners some weeks ago by U.S. Ambassador Samuel Lewis. The approach had been unconnected to special envoy Sal Linowitz’s mission to the area lost week to seek a resumption of the long-stalled negotiation.

Begin said he had told Linowitz and Lewis that he would personally favor prisoner releases provided they did not endanger or impair national security. He has not yet brought the issue before the Cabinet defense committee, but indicated that he intends to do so. Sources close to the Premier said a limited number of prisoners were involved–“individuals, rather than dozens or scores.”

Though the Premier insisted that the prospective release of prisoners is not a “gesture to Egypt” (“politics is not gesticulation,” he said), observers here immediately read it as part of a goodwill package. Both sides pledged, in the agreed statement issued by Linowitz at the end of his trip, to “strengthen the foundations of mutual trust and friendship,” and this was widely interpreted as including such gestures by Israel as prisoner release and postponing moving the Premier’s office to East Jerusalem.

HAS NOT CHANGED MIND ON MOVING PREMIER’S OFFICE

On this latter point, Begin firmly denied today that he had changed his intention to move the office. He was not responsible, he said, if Linowitz or others had come away from meetings with him having formed that impression. “I definitely intend to bring (the office move) before the Cabinet,” Begin declared. Significantly, though, he declined to say when he would bring the matter to the Cabinet, saying vaguely that there were “considerations” to be borne in mind.

He noted that no minister had raised objections when he had broached the issue at the Cabinet–but added immediately that that had been “a long time ago” and many developments had occurred since.

Several senior ministers have made no secret, in private conversations, of their hope that Begin will quietly let the proposed office move lapse–especially in view of the international drubbing Israel has taken in the wake of the Jerusalem law.

SAYS SADAT COMMITTED TO NORMALIZATION

Begin revealed that President Anwar Sadat has solemnly undertaken to “see to it” that the normalization process between the two countries proceeds with more vigor and speed. The Egyptian leader had given the commitment to Linowitz last week–and Israel’s Foreign Minister Yitzhak Shamir is holding talks in Egypt today and tomorrow on how to translate this reiterated Egyptian commitment into action. Sadat, Begin said, had given “specific orders” to his Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Butros Ghali, to see to it that normalization ties “develop positively.”

Begin cited commerce, tourism and culture as areas in which an immediate improvement was possible. In general, the Premier said, Egyptian businessmen were “very interested” in concluding deals with Israeli firms, and, once government-imposed restrictions are lifted, many such deals would develop. Sadat had now promised that the restrictions would indeed disappear.

There would soon be a delegation from Sadat’s political party visiting Israel, and later a parliamentary delegation, Begin noted, and in the other direction, Israel’s President Yitzhak Navon would visit Egypt and this would “be part of the normalization and bring honor to Israel.” Begin said that Navon would not be addressing the Egyptian People’s Assembly. This was Navon’s own decision, and he (Begin) had welcomed it.

Questioned on the aftermath of the Jerusalem law, the Premier refused to concede that the law had done Israel more political harm than good. The exit of 13 embassies from the city had not at all affected its status as Israel’s capital, he declared. The definition of a capital was a city which a nation, through its parliaments, determines as its capital and places its head of State, Legislature, Executive and Supreme Court therein. “Even if 30 embassies had left and not 13 it would have made no difference,” Begin said.

Begin noted with gratification President Carter’s references to Jerusalem and its meaning to Jewry of his address to the B’nai B’rith Inter-nohonot convention in Washington last week. This was the first time an American President had spoken in these terms, Begin said. Carter had linked the city to the “Jewish People” and had recalled how King David had proclaimed it israel’s capital. “In the last three years you have been hearing someone else speaking in those terms….” Begin joked.

The fact that it had been an election speech to a Jewish audience did not detract from its importance, the Premier noted. The Jewish political influence in the U.S.–the fact of especial Jewish weight in key states–was nothing to be ashamed of, he said. On the contrary, Israel was fortunate indeed to have the support of “this great Jewish community.”

The Jewish people was united behind Israel and behind Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Begin declared. He cited the fact that Prof. Leonard Fein had gotten the support of 38 of the 56 signatories of his “Peace Now” letter for a new declaration endorsing Israel’s stand on Jerusalem.

But there were two matters on which, Begin said, diaspora Jews had no right to interfere. One was Israel’s defense needs, and the other the scheduling of the Knesset election which was purely a matter for the Israeli voters to determine.