The Labor Party’s subcommittee on political affairs drafted a platform plank today stating that Israel would be ready for territorial compromises with Egypt, Syria and Jordan within the framework of a peace agreement. If adopted in the final platform, it will be the first time that Israel has specifically named the countries with which it would entertain the possibility of territorial concessions.
The plank represented a compromise between those party elements such as Transport Minister Gad Yaacobi who wanted to leave Labor’s “14 principles” unchanged and others. including Itzhak Navon, who are ready to endorse Mapam’s demand for territorial concessions in all sectors. Defense Minister Shimon Peres was present at the drafting and offered no objections Former Premier Golda Meir stressed that the plank does not speak of any concessions outside the framework of a peace agreement.
The draft states that Israel will continue its political efforts to reach a peace agreement with Syria. Egypt and Jordan within defensible borders and be ready for a territorial compromise with each of them. Israel will also seek a peace agreement with Lebanon based on the existing borders.
The fact that Jordan was mentioned indicated that negotiations on Israel’s eastern boundaries would be conducted only with that country. The door is thereby closed to negotiations with any Palestinian factor. even if it recognized Israel and to the creation of a third state between Israel and Jordan.
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