Foreign Ministry circles said here yesterday that a resumption of diplomatic ties between the United States and Egypt was not believed to be imminent but if it did occur at this time, it would constitute a diplomatic victory for Egypt. These circles noted that the timing of such a move by the U.S. would be significant, particularly if it was one of the first acts of the new administration in Washington.
They said however that Israel does not expect this to occur because Egypt, for one thing, has yet to apologize for its accusation that United States planes aided Israel during the June, 1967 Six-Day War and, for another, the U.S. will not demand Israel’s withdrawal from occupied Arab territories, a condition reportedly imposed by Egypt for resumption of diplomatic relations. The Foreign Ministry circles also pointed out that it was the custom of friendly nations to consult with one another before taking a step that might affect one of them. The United States has given no indication to Israel that diplomatic relations with Egypt might be resumed, as was indicated.
Replying to questions in the Knesset (Parliament) yesterday. Defense Minister Moshe Dayan warned that it would be a “grave error” it any representative of Israel in the U.S. were to say publicly that the resumption of American ties with Egypt and America’s friendship for Israel were mutually exclusive. Gen. Dayan added however that many of his colleagues in the Cabinet did not agree with him.
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