Premier Shimon Peres received Rev. Jerry Falwell, leader of the Moral Majority, at his office here Sunday. The meeting, described as “modest,” was brief and Peres’ aides refused to allow photographers to be present.
Peres clearly was less than enthusiastic to meet the American evangelical, a leader of the Christian fundamentalist rightwing in the U.S. who is an outspoken supporter of Israel and once received a medal from Premier Menachem Begin. He agreed apparently because of Falwell’s friendship for Israel and because he is admired by President Reagan and is considered to wield considerable influence in American politics.
Falwell told the Israeli Premier at their meeting that he thought Israel is the most important democracy in the area and preserves American influence in face of Soviet threats. “We are for Israel and not for the (Labor) Alignment or the Likud,” the conservative cleric said.
At a press conference later, Falwell claimed Peres was his friend. He said he assumed the Premier’s advisors were reluctant to schedule their meeting because of pressure from certain American Jewish groups. Many mainstream American Jewish organizations and prominent individuals find the ultra-conservative positions of Falwell and his Moral Majority on social issues abhorent. But other American Jews advocate friendship with the Christian right because of its consistent support for Israel.
PERES NOT AT CONFERENCE
Peres nevertheless declined an invitation to attend the conference of “The Friendship Journey to Israel–85”, headed by Falwell, which opened here Saturday night and ended Tuesday. The 850 delegates were addressed by Likud Minister-Without-Portfolio Moshe Arens, a former Defense Minister. Falwell was received by Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Yitzhak Shamir, leader of Likud, and by former Defense Minister Ariel Sharon, now the Minister of Commerce and Industry. He also telephoned former Premier Begin at his home and spoke to him for about 15 minutes. Begin has seldom left his home since his retirement in August, 1983.
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