Israeli Ambassador Simcha Dinitz asserted last night that Egyptian President Anwar Sadat “did not leave Israel a frustrated man” and there will be “continuity” in the Israeli-Egyptian dialogue.
“It was not a one-time event,” Dinitz told an overflow audience of 4000 persons at the 54th biennial General Assembly of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. “We have seen a breakthrough, followed by a dialogue and we will not stop the dialogue until we bring peace.”
But the Israeli envoy cautioned those who are looking for immediate results. “We cannot produce instant solutions in 24 hours to a conflict that has existed more than 29 years,” he said. “However, if we lay a solid foundation we can consider that this is the beginning of peace in the Middle East. We must now break the political barrier into a political settlement.”
Noting that the news media has been asking him if he plans to have a “mini-dialogue” with Egyptian Ambassador Ashraf Ghorbal, Dinitz said when he returns to Washington today he plans to call Ghorbal and seek a meeting.
SCHINDLER, GHORBAL IN CORDIAL EXCHANGES
Meanwhile, Rabbi Alexander Schindler, president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, and Ashraf Ghorbal exchanged cordial telegrams yesterday on President Anwar Sadat’s historic visit to Israel. Schindler, who is also chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, released the texts of the telegrams to the General Assembly.
In his message to Ghorbal, Schindler stated, in part: “President Sadat’s courageous decision to pay a visit to Israel and address the Knesset has raised the hopes of all who share the dream of peace with justice in the Middle East. The electrifying fact that leaders of Egypt and Israel will meet face to face marks an extraordinary moment, and we pray that it will be recorded in history as a dramatic step on the road to conciliation and ultimate friendship for the benefit of the region and the world. Please convey to President Sadat our gratitude for his bold move….”
Replying, Ghorbal declared, in part: “… I share your hopes and prayers for peace with justice in the Middle East. Allow me to express an equal hope that this bold and dramatic step on President Sadat’s side to dispel any Israeli misgivings about Arab intentions and sincerity in seeking this peace will be met with an equal dramatic step on the Israeli side for a comprehensive peaceful settlement in the area.” He added that all men of vision “share the dream of peace with justice to live up to the gravity of the responsibility and look beyond for the greater gain of ultimate friendship and cooperation through permanent, full and just peace.”
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