Chaim Herzog, Israel’s newly-appointed ambassador to the United Nations declared here last night that Israel is prepared to take “a calculated risk” for peace by agreeing to an interim disengagement settlement with Egypt which includes certain guarantees for its defense, economic strength and international relations by the United States with the approval of Congress.
Addressing the International Fall Leadership Conference for State of Israel Bonds, Herzog said that “the new agreement could be the most far-reaching one Israel has ever signed with a neighbor,” emphasizing that it still leaves Israel “with adequate depth for defense should it not work out.”
In his address to almost 1,000 Jewish leaders from the United States and Canada, Herzog stated that, from a security, economic and international point of view, “Israel will be in a stronger position without the (Mitle and Gidi) Passes and (Abu Rodeis) oil fields but with all the elements of the agreement than she will be without an agreement but with the passes and oil fields.”
BANNING ISRAEL FROM UN IS ANTI-SEMITISM
Herzog, referring to the current moves to oust or suspend Israel from the United Nations, stated that if successful, this would constitute “the largest single, act of anti-Semitism and the most concentrated attack on the Jewish people since 1933 when Hitler launched his attack on the Jewish population. That is what it is and it is time we abandoned the double-talk which characterizes the discussions on this subject and called it what it is.”
He said “it is encouraging to see the reaction here in the United States, in Europe, in many countries in Latin America and Asia. Above all, it was encouraging to note the rejection at Kampala (Uganda) by many important countries in Africa of the Arab attempt to dictate to them. But despite these encouraging signs, the danger exists that moves will be made which can destroy the United Nations.”
The envoy said that the Third World countries meeting at Lima on Monday must appreciate the significance of this Arab move and the possible consequences emerging from it. “If Israel is not at the General Assembly.” he said. “then in the final analysis, there will be no General Assembly. The process of disintegration which has taken hold of UNESCO will seize hold of the United Nations.”
SERIOUS PROBLEMS CITED
Herzog asserted that if Israel today faces serious problems in negotiations, it is because, with a balance of payments deficit of $3.5 billion, Israel is not in the strongest negotiating position. “Israel’s economic situation is an integral part today of her political struggle,” he said. “The Jewish people can strike back at those who have launched an attack on them — they can strike back through their involvement in the Israel Bon Organization. This is the Jewish people’s reply to their attackers.”
Sam Rothberg, general chairman of the Israel Bond Organization, who presided at the dinner, emphasized that the advancement of Israel’s economic independence was vital for Israel’s security and chances for peace.
Mayor Richard Daley proclaimed this week of the conference as Israel Bond week in Chicago in demonstrating his sympathetic interest in Israel.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
