Foreign Minister Abba Eban asserted that territorial compromise in peace negotiations was consistent with governmental and Labor Party policy. Eban told the party’s central committee Thursday night that he opposed those who want to perpetuate the present cease-fire lines and are delighted when peace seems far-off. He said he favored reaffirmation of the “true Zionist dream of having a country with an absolute Jewish majority”– a position counter to that of those who would have Israel remain in control of the more than one million Arabs in the administered areas.
Eban endorsed the plan of Deputy Premier Yigal Allon for demilitarization of the West Bank and a string of settlements along the Jordan River and held open the possibility of a pact with Jordan. The Foreign Minister rejected the notion that the Arabs living under Israeli administration are now less inclined to fight Israeli occupation. He said “Palestinian” self-determination could be achieved, but not at Israel’s expense.
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