A Foreign Ministry spokesman said today that Israel will not violate the embargo on arms and ammunition sales to South Africa voted by the UN Security Council last week. He said, in a briefing for foreign newsmen here, that Israel has open relations with South Africa and would honor the decisions of international bodies “just like other countries.” He added that although Israel opposed apartheid it would not interfere in South Africa’s internal affairs.
Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan said much the some thing last night when asked by a group of visiting American college presidents if it was worth-while for Israel to maintain close relations with South Africa in view of President Carter’s strong condemnation of that country’s racial policies.
“It is not the business of the President of the United States whom we have for friends so long as we are within the law,” Dayan said. He said Israel’s relations with South Africa were “above board” and while Israel has said publicly it opposes apartheid, that has nothing to do with commercial relations.
The American college presidents represent schools in the New York State University (SUNY) system and the New York City University (CUNY). They are here on a study mission and have signed student exchange agreements with seven Israeli universities. There are presently 250 students from SUNY and CUNY studying in Israel.
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