Prime Minister James Callaghan greeted President Ephraim Katzir today and expressed warm friendship and admiration for the State of Israel and the hope that it would soon attain peace and security. Callaghan was host at a luncheon for the Israeli President and Mrs. Katzir at 10 Downing St. The gathering was attended by about 70 other guests drawn from many walks of life in Britain including Foreign Secretary Anthony Crosland, trade union and Labor Party officials, scientists, artists, sportsmen and representatives of the Anglo-Jewish community.
Speaking on a political level, Callaghan voiced British support for American peace-seeking efforts in the Middle East and reaffirmed his government’s readiness to assist in such efforts if the parties agreed. Today’s meeting with Callaghan was the second major event of President Katzir’s week-long private visit to Britain which began last Friday. Yesterday he and Mrs. Katzir lunched with Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle.
Others who attended reported that the Queen showed herself to be well-informed about Israel and deeply interested in that country. They said a lively and friendly conversation was conducted between the two heads of state which included such subjects as the kibbutz movement and the constitutional similarities between the British Monarchy and the office of President in Israel. Tomorrow, President Katzir will be one of four Israeli scientists to participate in a symposium of the Royal Society marking the 70th birthday of British Nobel Laureate Sir Ernest Chain.
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