From a Reporter’s Notebook: Begin’s Visit to Washington

Premier Menachem Begin’s third Washington visit was marked by millions of words on the airways and in print and countless feet of film. For three days he was the central figure in the world’s prime news event. Yet through it all he maintained his equanimity and firmness in his beliefs. The leader of Israel left no doubt at any time about the main issue for him–refusal to walk the political path that he thinks will lead to Israel’s destruction and harm to the Jewish people.

Begin was unmoved by either flattery or responsibility. When President Carter laid on him the onus for any rupture of world peace Begin did not flinch. He observed in turn that he had offered peace and negotiations for compromise. John Chancellor, of NBC-TV, one of the influential breed of media diplomats, predicted a stature for Begin greater than David Ben Gurion if he “made peace.” Begin’s rejoinder was an amused grin and laughter. “Don’t make comparisons,” he replied. “We don’t stop thinking of peace.”

Although the “confrontation” theme was widespread in the media, the divergence of views between Carter and Begin do not represent a cleavage in the relationship that some depict as the worst in Israeli-American history. Begin himself pointed out that the situation in 1956, when Israel with the support of Britain and France entered Sinai, was worse. At that time, he recalled to Chancellor, President Eisenhower’s Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles, threatened to obtain sanctions against Israel in the United Nations Security Council if Israel did not leave Sinai.

Besides this observation, American officials also noted that Carter and Begin actually showed restraint and their attitudes were far from the rancor and bitterness of America and Israel during the Ford Administration’s “reassessment” in 1975. The Rogers plan in 1969 evoked more Israeli bitterness, too, they said.

A danger, however, is that the “difficulties” between the two leaders may be blown up into disastrous proportions by the media in both countries. Some observers believe it is a possibility that requires watching. Criticism in Israel of Begin, normal in a democratic country, is being intensively reported in the American media. Conversely, American criticism with anti-Semitic tones in some instances are hurried into Israel’s media that creates additional fears there.

Carter was said to have listed for Senate Foreign Relations Committee members on Thursday several major points which Begin would not accept.

These “refusals” by Begin, it was reported, were to dismantle Israel’s settlements in Sinai or “even” let Israeli settlers be under Egyptian or United Nations protection instead of Israel’s; “concede” that UN Security Council Resolution 242 of 1967 “obligates” Israel to withdraw from “at least part” of the West Bank and Gaza; and “accept” a U.S. proposal for an interim international arrangement on the West Bank and Gaza with a plebiscite at the end of five years for the Palestinian Arabs to cast their lot with Jordan or Israel or remain under international control. The international arrangement on the West Bank was seen here as leading to a Palestinian state.

Carter also was reported to have told the Senators that “the diplomatic process has come to a halt.” But on Wednesday night, one of his top advisors told a roomful of reporters that he expected the chief U.S. negotiator, Alfred Atherton, will return to the Middle East sometime after April I.

A top Administration official made several important points that have gone virtually unreported. One is that “we believe Arab governments should attach something to a peace settlement” about Israel’s security. Carter and Begin have “agreed they would remain in close personal touch” and the President “reaffirmed continuing efforts for a comprehensive peace.”

He emphasized the Carter-Begin talks were “not the beginning or end” of the peace process but the official acknowledgement that President Anwar Sadat of Egypt considers it “important” for Israel to commit itself to the “principle of withdrawal from the territories.”

Begin’s religious and family sides emerged naturally and yet strikingly in view of the age of skepticism and individualism. While some 400 guests, including Vice President Walter Mondale and former Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, were arriving at the reception for him at the Israeli Embassy, Begin was reading the Megillah at a minyan in the Ambassador’s library, the evening being also the start of Purim.

When a press photographer mentioned to an Israeli if there could be a minyan for him to say kaddish, Begin was asked if he would join and he agreed at once.

At the National Press Club, when Begin concluded his presentation, he was jokingly asked whether he would consider an exchange of grandchildren with Sadat. Noting Mrs. Sadat and Mrs. Begin have exchanged letters–“and this applies to the grandfathers, not only to the grandmothers–we hope and wish that the day will come, and may God bring it very very soon, that my grandchildren will play in Cairo and Sadat’s grandchildren in Jerusalem.” Begin noted that he has eight grandchildren and Sadat signed “eight envelopes” for them. “What a beautiful gesture,” Begin said.