Jeane Kirkpatrick, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, declared today that she believes that the Camp David peace process is the only basis for achieving a comprehensive peace in the Mideast and that it has “no alternative.” She asserted that efforts at the UN to undermine the Camp David peace process are not likely to succeed.
Speaking at a luncheon at the Sheraton Centre Hotel, sponsored by the American Red Magen David for Israel (ARMDI), Kirkpatrick, who, together with Eliezer Shostak, Israel’s Minister of Health, received the 1982 ARMDI International Humanitarian Award, said that the conjunction of Israel’s 34th anniversary and Israel’s withdrawal from the Sinai is very important “in symbolizing Israel’s commitment to peace.”
Noting that Israel’s return of the Sinai to Egypt was “the biggest voluntary return of land in the Mideast,” Kirkpatrick said the return refutes all arguments and accusations that Israel is “inflexible” and unwilling to make sacrifices for peace.
Charging that the amount of slander and hate expressed at the UN against Israel is “mind boggling,” Kirkpatrick said that yesterday’s anti-Israeli resolution adopted by the General Assembly was “outrageous.” She said that the resolution’s declaration that Israel is “not a peace-loving member state” was laying the ground for efforts to expel Israel from the world organization, and another chapter in the Arabs’ drive to delegitimize Israel.
Kirkpatrick pledged to the more than 1,000 members and leaders of ARMDI present at the luncheon that the United States will continue its effort to achieve “full recognition for Magen David Adom by the International Red Cross.”
Shostak, a member of the Knesset for 30 years, and a leader in the expansion of the services of Magen David Adom, said: “My country is passing through difficult days. We do not know a moment of rest. But I promise you that, whatever the obstacles, we shall not be deflected from our chosen path For every act of destruction inflicted upon us we shall respond with deeds of construction. We shall answer jealousy and hatred with an outstretched hand of friendship, goodwill and peace. We believe in peace with all our hearts and we shall pursue it everlastingly.”
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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.
