Premier Menachem Begin, opening a political debate in the Knesset today, declared that Israel would stick to its peace plan which he maintained, was fair and just. He insisted that it had been acceptable to the United States until Egypt turned it down.
Begin also claimed that the Egyptians would agree to Israel’s proposals for a joint declaration of principles once they are convinced that they could not obtain Israel’s agreement to “demands which we have announced from the start that we shall not be able to accept.” His implication was that there might have been an agreement with Cairo had the United States not tilted toward Egypt as he alleged it did.
At the end of the nine-hour debate, the Knesset voted 64-32 to approve Begin’s policies. There were nine abstentions, including seven members of the Democratic Movement for Change (DMC), Likud’s coalition partners.
PERES ATTACKS GOVERNMENT’S POLICIES
Labor Alignment chairman Shimon Peres, speaking for the opposition, strongly attacked the government’s diplomatic approaches and Begin personally for bringing about a confrontation with the U.S. “not at the proper time and not on the proper subject.”
He questioned Begin’s claim that the U.S. originally found his peace plan acceptable. When President Carter described the Israeli plan as a fair one it should not have been interpreted as an American undertaking to accept it, Peres said. “Begin took what may have been suggested as a start for negotiations as an accomplished agreement, “he charged.
However, Peres said, the Labor Alignment would not move for a vote of no confidence in the Begin government at this time because the Americans did not behave properly when Begin was in Washington last week. he appeared to be referring to reports that the U.S. was actively seeking to depose the Begin government.
POINTS OF AGREEMENT, DIFFERENCES
The Premier told the Knesset that there were points of agreement and points of difference between Israel and the U.S. over the substance and character of a peace settlement. He said both countries agreed on the nature of peace, including open borders and diplomatic, economic and trade relations between Israel and its neighbors. They agreed that there should not be a Palestinian state on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, that the PLO should not be a party to negotiations and that the Palestinians be given a voice in determining their future, he said.
“We have suggested administrative autonomy (for the Palestinians) with free choice of Israeli or Jordanian citizenship with full parliamentary rights, “Begin said. He explained that Palestinians opting for Jordanian citizenship would be able to vote in the Jordanian parliament and those choosing Israeli citizenship could vote in Knesset elections.
However, he said, the U.S. proposed that a plebiscite be held after five years to determine the future of the territories. “We were obliged to reject this plan because holding such a plebiscite would bring about what the Americans themselves agreed should not be established–a Palestinian state.”
In Begin’s view, “this is a question of life or death” for Israel “but for other countries, including the U.S., it is policy.” The Premier insisted that Israel would never return to its 1967 borders and never accept a Palestinian state. “The question of the Palestinian Arabs will find a just solution and the Palestinian Arabs will have a right to determine their future in talks between Israel, Egypt and Jordan and the true representatives of the Palestinian Arabs, “he said.
Begin acknowledged that another area of disagreement with the U.S. was over Israeli settlements in the occupied territories. “In our last talks the Americans expressed their view that the settlements violate international law and are an obstruction to peace. Israel’s views differ, “he said.
In his response to Begin, Peres said he believed Begin wants peace but regretted his ideological stance which does not take into account current developments, ties his hands and prevents him from carrying out a proper, coherent policy. He accused the government of making many mistakes, of failing to foresee events and acting in ways that undermined Israel’s credibility.
RAPS SETTLEMENT POLICIES
Peres also attacked the government’s settlement policies. “It is known to all that in order to achieve peace we shall have to return areas to Arab sovereignty. We have to think of peace as a national interest. Without a declaration of readiness to compromise on Judaea and Samaria, there will be no peace, “Peres declared.
He said the argument with the U.S. over the interpretation of Resolution 242 was unnecessary and blamed the Likud platform for forcing the government to pursue an unrealistic policy which leads to repeated confrontation with the U.S. Support and opposition of Begin’s policies followed party lines.
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