Declaring that the United States has an “historic and unswerving moral commitment to the survival and security of Israel,” Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz said that America is now working “from a new foundation” toward the goal of achieving peace in the Mideast.
Addressing the inaugural dinner of the American Associates of Ben Gurion University of the Negev, held last night at the Pierre Hotel, Butz observed that although the situation in the Mideast is complex,” major progress has been achieved in the Mideast in recent years” in the direction of peace. He said that Israel’s “courage and confidence” in negotiations together with the emergence of moderate Arab leadership “speaking openly and wisely of making peace with Israel,” is the new foundation for resolving the Arab-Israel conflict.
“The United States has shown its determination and ability to work with both sides to help bring about a just and enduring solution between the parties, and to prevent this region from again becoming the focal point of a global crisis,” Butz told the more than 800 guests at the dinner.
NEGOTIATING PROCESS MUST CONTINUE
Continuing Butz stated: “President Ford is committed to continue to see to it that the negotiating process does not wither, that the impetus to peace is not extinguished, that no sound possibility is left unexplored. As the process continues, the United States will not weaken Israel by failing to perceive her needs, or by failing to understand her worries. The United States will never abandon its fundamental commitment to Israel’s survival and security.”
But, Butz noted, the United States also has an interest in maintaining good relations with the Arab states. “Such ties between the United States and the Arab world can enhance our ability to strengthen the forces of moderation in the Mideast and advance the cause of peace for all,” he said.
FAITH IN THE FUTURE
Yosef Tekoah, president of Ben Gurion University and former Ambassador of Israel at the United Nations, told the gathering that despite all the difficulties facing Israel, the Jewish State has faith in the future. “It is this faith that makes us tenacious in our refusal to dissipate the advantage we hold today and to yield territory controlled by us except in return for concrete steps toward peace,” Tekoah declared.
“It is also this faith that causes us to believe that our friends will understand that Israel must pursue its present course if it is not to betray the trust of history, if it is not to shirk responsibility to future generations not to squander the hope and opportunity for genuine, lasting peace” in the Mideast, Tekoah said.
Describing the struggle of Ben Gurion University in the face of severe financial difficulties. Tekoah said that the resources available to the university this year are 30 percent lower than those of last year. “Yet we must go on. We shall go on because we have faith, in ourselves, in the work we are doing. We have faith in our people. We have faith in you.”
The dinner last night was in honor of Aron Chilewich, president of the American Associates of BGU. Tekoah presented Chilewich with the “Ben Gurion Negev Award” for his activities on behalf of the university. The award was in the form of a 2300-year-old urn found in the Negev. Also participating in last night’s affair were Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Chaim Herzog, Max Fisher, chairman of the board of governors of the Jewish Agency, and Mrs. Bobbie Abrams, dinner chairman and chairman of the American Associates of BGU.
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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.
