The Cabinet will meet within 10 days to discuss certain specific American proposals for ending the current diplomatic deadlock in the Middle East, official sources indicated today. Premier Menachem Begin returned today from his visit to the U.S. with a clear obligation to respond within a short time to some basic questions posed by the Carter Administration.
While Israeli sources are careful not to refer to them as an American peace plan, they relate to fundamental issue of Israeli policy. The Americans want to know what Israel’s intentions are for the future of the West Bank and Gaza Strip if Begin’s self-rule offer is accepted. Begin’s plan calls for a “review” of the situation in those territories after five years but is vague about what will follow the review. The U.S. wants a concrete definition of Israel’s plans for a permanent solution.
The Cabinet will also have to clarify Israel’s position on Palestinian self-determination and the future of Jewish settlements in the occupied territories. Israel’s response will depend, at least in part, on whether Egypt agrees to speak for the inhabitants of the territories, thereby shutting out PLO supporters.
This matter is believed to be under discussion between Egypt and the U.S. Press reports here say the U.S. has agreed to a continued Israeli military presence in the occupied territories, provided that Israeli forces restrict themselves to army camps and do not act “to maintain public order” as was proposed in Begin’s peace plan. Another report said the U.S. proposed dividing Jerusalem into Jewish and Arab neighborhoods.
Begin, on his arrival this morning, said that his talks in Washington were held in a relaxed atmosphere but no conclusions were reached He said the proposals raised would be discussed by the Cabinet after Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan returns from his current visit to Britain and the Scandinavian countries. Replying to a question, Begin said that he had not expressed exaggerated optimism over his talks in Washington.
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