Jewish Delegation to Meet Sadat

Philip Klutznick, chairman of the Board of Governors of the World Jewish Congress, confirmed here today that he would head a delegation of top Jewish leaders to Egypt shortly to meet with President Anwar Sadat at the latter’s invitation. He said that all that remained was for the date to be set and an agenda agreed upon. He said a reply on these matters was expected from the Egyptian Ambassador in Washington. Ashraf Ghorbal.

Addressing the Israeli Executive of the WJC. Klutznick conceded that there was a risk but on the other hand, there were prospects for a breakthrough and therefore Sadat’s invitation should not be rejected. He stressed that the delegation, which will include Lord Fisher of Camden, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews; Baron Guy de Rothschild, of France, President of the United Jewish Philanthropic Fund; and Rabbi Alexander M. Schindler, chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, would not represent Israel and would not presume to negotiate on its behalf. “I believe that negotiations for a settlement in the region must be held directly between the parties concerned,” he said.

Klutznick acknowledged that there has been strong criticism in Israel of the proposed visit. But he emphasized that no move was taken without the prior knowledge of the Israeli government. He said that at least three direct contacts were made by WJC president Dr. Nahum Goldmann with the Prime Minister’s Office and the Foreign Ministry. He said the composition of the delegation would demonstrate to the Egyptians that world Jewry is firmly united behind Israel.