Dr. Nahum Goldmann, president of the Jewish Agency, expressed the opinion today that when the time came for negotiation of a settlement with Israel, Arab leaders might find it easier in the beginning to talk to non-Israeli Jewish leaders than directly with Israeli officials.
He said at a press conference that while that stage had not yet been reached, he had gained the impression that a growing number of Arab leaders realized Israel was here to stay and that some arrangement would have to be found. This realization had not reached the point, however, he added, at which such talks could be started.
The necessary conditions for progress in the direction of talks, Dr. Goldmann asserted, are: a period of tranquillity and contact through third parties who are not unfriendly toward Israel and who also have influence among the Arabs. He said that his recent meeting with Indian Prime Minister Nehru had significance in this respect. He rejected rumors that Nehru was anti-Israel. Dr. Goldmann said that in his conversations with Nehru he never spoke in the name of the State of Israel.
Meanwhile, Israeli official quarters revealed that in a talk with Israel Ambassador Eliahu Elath in London this week-end, Prime Minister Nehru said that it will be a long time before an opportunity for Arab-Israel peace talks presents itself. The two diplomats had a general exchange of views, but did not discuss such specific questions as the establishment of Israel-Indian diplomatic relations or the possibility of Indian mediation of the Middle East conflict.
Mr. Nehru is known to have expressed great interest in the Israel-Burma cooperation program and Israel’s technical assistance to Burma. Although Israeli official sources decline to reveal the Prime Minister’s views on the chances for an Arab-Israeli peace, it is understood that Mr. Nehru thinks that unity in the Arab world would improve such possibilities since the divided Arab states compete with each other in hostility toward Israel.
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