Sadat Meets with West Bank Notables

President Anwar Sadat met at the King David Hotel this morning with an eight-man delegation of notables from the administered territories. They included Anwar al Habit, former Jordanian Governor of Jerusalem; Hikmat al Massri, former chairman of the Jordanian Parliament, known for his close contacts with the Egyptian President and Elias Freij Mayor of Bethlehem.

Sadat assured the delegation that he would not neglect the Palestinian cause. When they complained to him about the burden of the Israeli occupation, Sadat told them he regarded those living under the occupation as heroes. The group represented various camps in the Arab population of the administered territories and they did not all necessarily hold the same views. All of them expressed support for Sadat’s Knesset speech, but not all of them spoke in support of the actual visit.

Sadat did ask them to speak out against the anti-Sadat drive in the Arab world. Throughout his visit, in fact, he gave the impression that he was not impressed by the criticism voiced against him by fellow Arabs. He explained to his guests why he found it necessary to make this trip. They, in turn, expressed their admiration for Sadat’s leadership. “Egypt is the mother, and all the Arabs are her sons, even if they quarrel,” said al Hatib.

When they left they said Sadat was a great man, and encouraged Israel to take the next step. “Fortune knocks on the door only once,” said one of the participants, “and if you don’t open the door, you may miss it.”

Asked about this meeting at today’s press conference, Sadat said the delegation had “kindly come to apologize for those who are abusing me in the outside world.” But he would not say anything about the discussion itself. He said it was not for him to give his recipe for the Palestinians’ future. “The Palestinians should decide for themselves,” he said.