Israeli Ambassador Simcha Dinitz today described the letter signed by 76 Senators in support of Israel as a “heartening development” that strengthens the basis for a Middle East peace. Addressing a B’nai B’rith International Council at its annual plenary, Dinitz said the action of the Senators “echoes the sentiments of the American people” and “informs the Arab nations that the friendship between Israel and the United States has not eroded.”
The letter “gives notice to the Arabs that they must alter their views regarding U.S. support for Israel,” Dinitz said. “It contributes to the stability of the Middle East by affirming that a strong Israel is a pre-condition for any successful negotiations.”
The Ambassador said that he had received no indications “either diplomatically or publicly” that the aim of the Administration’s Middle East reassessment is to “downgrade relations” with Israel. “Nothing is more dangerous to the cause of peace” than to misinterpret American sentiments and conclude that “the United States is wavering” about Israel, he said.
In response to questions from the press, Dinitz said President Ford’s scheduled visits with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Premier Yitzhak Rabin could revive shuttle diplomacy. “It also presents opportunities to explore all avenues toward peace,” he said. He called Syria’s decision to renew the UN presence on the Golan Heights “a very positive step.”
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