The Israeli Government has firmly rejected an American proposal that Israel accept a compromise arrangement on its demand for a formal peace treaty with the Arab states, Menachem Beigin. Minister Without Portfolio and leader of the Gahal, right-wing alignment, disclosed today.
Mr. Beigin told a press luncheon that the American formula had been “a binding, juridical, reciprocal, contractual agreement.” As a model, the Americans had offered, he said, the Soviet-Japanese treaty which was not called a peace treaty but laid down terms for mutual recognition, the exchange of ambassadors and economic relations. This agreement was signed by the prime ministers of the two countries.
The minister argued in support of the Israeli position that no Arab state would accept such an agreement since the Arabs’ entire campaign since the Six-Day War had been waged with a view to avoiding de jure recognition of Israel. An exchange of ambassadors, he said, implied de jure recognition as the envoys submit letters of accreditations signed by the head of the state. Since, he added, there was no chance that Egypt would agree to this, there was no point in Israel making a futile gesture and declaring its acceptance.
Members of the Government were in agreement on two important principles, Mr. Beigin declared: There will be no return to the situation prevailing before June, 1967, and present positions on the cease-fire lines will be maintained in full until there is a peace treaty. On other points, he said, there were differences and “this is well-known.” The Gahal (Herut-Liberal alignment) leader said that he would favor continuation of a Government of national unity after the general elections this autumn. If Gahal should receive a majority in those elections, he said, he would invite the other parties to join the Government. If the Israel Labor Party should win and asked Gahal to remain in the coalition, he said, he would recommend such a course. In this case, however, the entire Government platform would have to be redrawn and Gahal ministers given their “due share in the burden of responsibilities,” he said. Gahal, with 22 members in the 120-seat Knesset, has two Cabinet members, both without portfolio. Gahal joined the Government coalition two days before the outbreak of the Six-Day War. The original coalition partners have one minister for every four to five Knesset members.
In response to a question, Mr. Beigin said he was in favor of permitting Jews to say prayers on the Temple Mount in the Old City. The authorities have prohibited this so as not to cause disturbances among the Moslems but the ruling is being appealed and the case is pending In the Israel High Court of Justice.
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