President Anwar Sadat of Egypt was adamant today against any concessions to Israel on the issues of Jerusalem, Palestinian statehood and Jewish settlements on the West Bank and Gaza Strip. He also alleged that Israel is not observing the spirit of Camp David.
Addressing the National Press Club following two days of intensive discussions with President Carter on the autonomy negotiations, the Egyptian leader, who departs for Cairo later today; referred to those issues. He declared that “naturally, a final settlement” on the West Bank and Gaza Strip “should be based on the right to self-determination,” language that is considered to mean eventual statehood for the Palestinians.
Sadat appeared to exclude Jews specifically from rights in East Jerusalem when, later in his address, he said that “Arab sovereignty and Islamic and Christian rights would be observed in East Jerusalem” under the type of settlement he envisaged.
Sodat contended that “self-determination poses no threat to Israel and its security. On the contrary; it is the only sure way to peaceful and harmonious co-existence.” He took issue with the proposition that Jews have a right to live anywhere. “Certainly,” he said, “all peoples must be treated equally and without any discrimination. However, no people has the right to live in other, people’s territory. without their consent and free acceptance. To say otherwise would not only run contrary to the norms of international law and legitimacy but it would also create a dangerous precedent none of us could live with.” Sodat said that full autonomy on the West Bank and Gaza would be an Israeli gesture “in response to my historic visit to Jerusalem.”
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