Goldmann: Possibility of War Unless U.s.-ussr Detente is Maintained

Unless the detente between the Soviet Union and the United States is maintained, there is a danger that no settlement will be reached in the Middle East and this means a possibility of a renewed war, Dr. Nahum Goldmann, president of the World Jewish Congress said today at a luncheon meeting with Israeli editors and WJC leaders. According to Dr. Goldmann the present situation offers the first real possibilities for reaching an arrangement–temporary or permanent–with the Arabs, conditioned by the international situation. He said that both the U.S. and USSR are interested–for separate reasons–in maintaining the detente they have reached.

He therefore expressed his support for the present policy of the Israeli government as expressed by Defense Minister Moshe Dayan and Premier Golda Meir. Dayan has stated that Egyptian President Anwar Sadat wants peace and it is now the most appropriate moment to go forward with the negotiations. Mrs. Meir has stated that it is worthwhile to take some risks if peace is to be achieved. Dr. Goldmann recalled his discussions with the late David Ben Gurion who said that time was working in Israel’s favor while Dr. Goldmann responded that he feared that time was working for the Arabs “and to my great regret I was right.”

As to the WJC, Dr. Goldmann said its plenary assembly will meet for the first time in six years in the Hague at the end of April for 10 days. He revealed the establishment of a special department at the WJC dealing with the Third World. This, he said, was specially important now that relations between Israel and the “Third World” nations have cooled down or have been ruptured. Some 500 delegates from 64 countries will attend the assembly.