Former President Gerald Ford declared here that the United States never has imposed terms for a settlement in the Middle East “and never should alone or with any other superpower.” Ford spoke at the American Friends of the Hebrew University dinner Thursday night at which he was presented with the first annual Yonatan Netanyahu Award in memory of the Israeli officer killed while leading the rescue raid at Entebbe airport in Uganda last July 4.
“We can and must work with all parties in that crucial area for peace, security, justice and prosperity,” Ford said. “In the ebb and flow of current events we must not dim our hopes or undercut our determination. All of us must restrain our public rhetoric and keep our powder dry, trusting to the wisdom of the parties to find a solution that will meet the requirements of all mankind.”
Addressing the more than 600 guests, Ford denounced terrorism throughout the world. “Never in the history of the world has terrorism solved anything and it never will,” he said. He urged an end to “lavish media attention” to terrorists and declared, “No more bargaining with the barrel of a gun, no more sanctuaries for the terrorists.”
Funds raised at the dinner will be utilized to establish a memorial scholarship at the Hebrew University in the name of Lt. Col. Netanyahu. Guests included Gov. Hugh Carey of New York, New York City Mayor Abraham D. Beame and Avraham Harman, president of the Hebrew University.
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