An idea entertained by some Israelis for the eventual establishment of a Palestinian Arab entity in part of the occupied territories, was sharply rejected by Foreign Minister Abba Eban in the Knesset last night. Mr. Eban maintained that such notions comprised the security and peaceful existence of Israel. An agenda motion to consider such proposals was introduced by Uri Avneri, of the Haolam Hazeh faction. It was struck off the agenda after Mr. Eban assailed it. According to the Foreign Minister, Arabs who envisage such an entity think of it as a substitute for the State of Israel in which a Jewish minority might be permitted to remain subject to an Arab majority.
“If Israel recognized the principle of a Palestine entity she would be endangering her security and the principles on which the State based its existence,” Mr. Eban said. “Israel can be a good neighbor of the Arab world, but it cannot be part of the Arab world,” he added. “Israel must also stand at the service of the Jewish people.”
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