Foreign Minister Abba Eban of Israel said last night that Egypt was hurting the chances for peace in the Middle East by insisting on “writing the text of peace agreements asking Israel to contribute only her signature on the dotted line.” That, said Eban, “is not negotiation, and we must eliminate this element of ‘ultimativeness’ if we are going to make progress.” The Israeli diplomat spoke at a special gifts dinner of the Jewish United Fund Israel Emergency Appeal, A record $7.037 million in 1971 pledges was announced. The campaign’s goal is $12,75 million. Eban said Israel’s intention was “not to wage war but to prevent it.” He said that “only a thin line of Israeli aircraft prevents the slaughter of every man, woman and child in Israel.” The Foreign Minister stated that there could be no peace if Syris regains control of the Golan Heights, if Jerusalem is divided or if Egypt regained control of the Strait of Tiran. Presiding at the dinner were Robert L. Adler, general campaign chairman; Dr. Milton Ratner, special gifts chairman, and Irvin Swartzberg, a campaign co-chairman.
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