Premier Golda Meir today categorically rejected an Israeli withdrawal to its pre-June, 1967 borders even if they are recognized by Egypt, guaranteed by the Big Powers and protected by demilitarized zones policed by United Nations troops. Replying to questions at a luncheon of the Jerusalem Journalists Association, Mrs. Meir noted that the 1967 borders were the ones on which war broke out. “What makes these borders, which Egypt refused to recognize then, so attractive now?” she asked rhetorically. She said Israel had no faith in demilitarized zones, especially after its experience with the Syrians who violated the demilitarized Golan Heights before the 1967 war while the UN proved itself incapable of stopping them. Mrs. Meir predicted that her government would “most probably” decide at next Sunday’s Cabinet meeting to return to the Jarring peace talks. She said the long delay in reaching a decision on such a crucial matter was worthy of praise not censure. According to Mrs. Meir, the Jarring talks “are not a magic wand.” She predicted that they would “last quite long.” Doubt was expressed in some circles that a Cabinet decision would be forthcoming next Sunday in view of the announcement that Defense Minister Moshe Dayan has taken a week’s vacation and may not attend the meeting. Mrs. Meir referred bitterly to the Leningrad trial. “What is being done in the Soviet Union is the result of outright anti-Semitism,” she charged.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
