Eshkol Says Bourguiba’s Call for Peace Reflects Trend in Arab World

Prime Minister Levi Eshkol told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency here today that the recent statements by Tunisia’s President Habib Bourguiba, calling for peace talks between the Arab states and Israel on certain conditions, “certainly merits Israeli initiative, but the matter is very delicate and I think that a further statement, beyond what has already been said publicly, will not serve a useful purpose.”

In an exclusive JTA interview, Mr. Eshkol said he believed the Tunisian President’s expressions reflect a certain trend in the Arab world. “However,” the Premier added, “a contrary trend toward war still seems far stronger.” He warned that, if the Arab states proceed to implement their project of “the diversion threat” in regard to Jordan River waters, “the area’s situation might become very critical indeed.” Mr. Eshkol expressed the hope that “sane counsel will prevail in the Arab capitals, and the threat to the peace may be averted.”

Asked whether the hopes he had voiced for improved Israeli-USSR relations have been vindicated to any degree, Mr. Eshkol replied: “I believe it is in the making, though it is a slow process. There are some small signs of improvement, but these do not as yet add up to any real change. However, we continue to hope.”

CITES DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ISRAEL’S AND U.S. VIEWS ON NASSER

Mr. Eshkol was asked whether the Middle East policy of the United States was based on a realistic appraisal of the attitude of Egypt’s President Gamal Abdel Nasser. He replied that there are some differences between the United States and Israel regarding certain aspects of the Middle East situation, particularly regarding Nasser’s aggressive intentions. But he said the basic areas of agreement between Israel and the U.S.A., and the shared assessments “far outweigh these differences.”

He noted with “satisfaction” that his own recent visits to some capitals abroad showed that “today, there is great understanding for Israel’s policies and security needs.” Declaring that the Arab attitude of hatred toward Israel “certainly feeds on the East-West conflict,” he recalled that, over the years, Israel had urged East-West initiative for ending, or at least limiting, the arms race in the Middle East, and for direct Israel-Arab negotiations. “That is also our policy today,” he asserted.

Discussing the subject of West German-Israeli diplomatic exchanges, Mr. Eshkol said that a German proposal on that matter is “long overdue.” One of the moves in that regard, he said, was the important consideration of an undoubtedly moral nature. But Bonn’s offer to exchange diplomatic relations with Israel, he said, was “a highly significant example of resistance to pressures” by the Arab states. Only time will tell, he affirmed, whether a new era in relations between the Jewish people and Germany was being inaugurated. “The future of moral and cultural relations,” he declared, “will, to a great extent, depend on the attitude of the German people itself in the years and generations ahead.”

Turning to the world Jewish scene, the Prime Minister recalled that he has been urging, for years, a “stronger bridge” between Israel and Jewry abroad. Asked whether, in his opinion, both Israel and Jewry outside this country are moving in the right direction in that regard, he replied: “I am satisfied they are moving in the right direction, but I should like to see everyone moving more quickly.” He stressed the awareness among Israelis and Jews overseas regarding their need for closer ties and “the spirit of volunteering of Jewish people throughout the world” by extending great aid to Israel throughout her existence.