Special to JTA Blair House Aftermath

Egyptian President Anwar Sadat’s invective against Israel in his prepared National Press Club speech Monday was in direct contrast with his informal remarks to the eight prominent American Jews he met behind closed doors at Blair House immediately before he addressed the club.

In his telecast speech he charged Israel with “institutionalization of anarchy and aggression” and described Israel’s policy as a “short cut to choose and lawlessness.” But in chatting with the Jewish group he spoke in a spirit of accommodation and friendship with Israel and talked enthusiastically about the Israeli people.

“His Press Club speech was tough and aggressive,” one of those at the Blair House meeting told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in an interview. “That was completely absent during the hour with us.” Another one present expressed a similar view. The individuals asked that their names not be used since the group had agreed that Philip Klutznick, the World Jewish Congress president, would speak to the media for the group, which he did.

Although three of the Jews attending are business magnates, business matters such as development projects in Egypt or Sinai and joint Israeli-Egyptian ventures were not discussed at the meeting. However, Sadat appeared to agree with a suggestion that exchanges should take place between Egyptian and Israeli universities.

Three of those present are important figures at three Ivy League universities. The other two in the group are a lawyer and an economist. All are closely associated in one way or another with Klutznick who reportedly sounded out the invitees before they were formally asked by the Egyptian Embassy to meet with Sadat. (See Feb. 7 Bulletin for names of participants at Blair House.)

Nothing newsworthy or earthshaking with regard to Middle East diplomacy emerged in the discussions inasmuch as Klutznick and others present made it clear to Sadat from the outset that any specifics on negotiations were up to the Israeli government and other governments involved.

IMPRESSED VERY MUCH BY SADAT

Aware of the opposition within the Jewish community leadership against any attempt to manipulate it into taking a position inimical to Israeli policy, Sadat said that his “open letter” to the American Jewish community which appeared in the Miami Herald on Jan. 29 was not an effort to separate Jews from Israel since he said this would be impossible and he had no such intention or such illusion.

In keeping with this spirit, Sadat told the Jewish group his intent was to obtain understanding for his objective which he said is peace, not war. He said he inherited hate from the late Egyptian President Gamal Nasser and he wanted to replace hate with love. He said he felt that Israel had two important desires–recognition and real peace–and that by going to Jerusalem last November he thought he could offer both.

He was sorry, Sadat was reported as saying, that Israel does not reciprocate with the same broad vision. He was saying this more in sorrow than anger and he was intent on persevering in the search for peace, according to those present.

“Obviously,” one of those present said later to JTA. “Sadat was trying to sell himself. However, he impressed me very much. He is a mystical person, an extraordinarily fine salesman who conveys genuineness and sincerity. He appears very earnest. I would gather he is quite messianic. He is no slouch, but a very powerful man. One can understand why he is able to sell himself to President Carter.”

During the meeting one of those present suggested to Sadat that he is inconsistent, that he speaks of love in one place but not in another. “I, too, believe in the power of love,” this Jewish guest told him. “But love is not just a single grand gesture. It is a continuum. It takes effort and consistency. I don’t sense, for example, your feeling of love toward (Israeli Premier Menachem) Begin.”

The Jewish guest then referred to Begin’s letter last weekend in the Miami Herald in response to Sadat’s in which Begin spoke of the Egyptian media outburst of anti-Semitism two weeks ago. Begin, the guest added, does not get a feeling of love but hostility from Egypt.

Sadat was reported as nodding in agreement at this statement but he said he did not believe there were threats in the Egyptian media against Begin.