The Cabinet today gave its unanimous approval to Premier Menachem Begin’s peace plan, including “administrative autonomy” for West Bank and Gaza Strip Arabs. Begin will present the plan to President Anwar Sadat of Egypt at their summit meeting at Ismailia Sunday.
The Cabinet met in special session for seven hours to hear the plan. It was briefed by Begin on his recent trip to the U.S. and by Defense Minister Ezer Weizman on his meetings this week with Sadat and Egyptian War Minister Gen. Mohammed Gamassy. The Cabinet decided that Begin would be accompanied to Ismailia by Weizman and Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan.
Talking to reporters after the session, Begin said Israel was satisfied with the rapid pace of developments because “this is the propitious moment for peace.” He said his summit meeting with Sadat will be ” one of the most important meetings so far” because negotiations will be for a peace treaty. He said Israel will come with maps in hand “but we shall also hear what the Egyptians have to say.”
Begin said he had not heard of the statement by Sadat yesterday that Egypt would not accept a continued Israeli military presence on the West Bank. “Our position is known and we shall bring it before the President,” he said. The Premier also hinted that the present Cairo conference might be upgraded. He said continuation of the Cairo talks in their present form has not been clarified yet. He said he would propose to Sadat that Israel and Egypt establish working committees on various subjects.
Begin said today’s Cabinet discussions were conducted at a very high standard. “It was one of the better meetings we had, “he said, stressing the unanimous support his proposals received. He said the meeting was a long one “because we dealt with questions which will determine the future of the nation.”
PLAN INCLUDES ADMINISTRATIVE AUTONOMY
An official announcement late today said: “The Cabinet approved the Israeli peace proposals which include giving administrative autonomy to the residents of Judaea and Samaria and the Gaza district. The plan will be brought by the Prime Minister before the President of Egypt at the meeting of the Egyptian and Israeli delegations in Ismailia.”
Reminded of the demonstration by several hundred Gush Emunim followers outside his office while the Cabinet was in session today, protesting any concessions on the West Bank, Begin said, “I love them very much and I shall continue to love them but their demonstration is unjustified.” (See related story.)
It remained unclear how long Begin and Sadat will meet. The Knesset is scheduled to hold a political debate Monday, which means that the Premier does not plan to be in Egypt more than a day. But a longer stay was not ruled out if the two leaders believe their discussions must be extended.
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