Visiting Prime Minister John Vorster of South Africa was quoted by Israel Radio as saying that his country’s “relations with Israel have never been so good” and he did not think his trip here would harm South Africa’s relations with its Arab oil suppliers.
Vorster made his remarks during a visit to Sharm el-Sheikh. He has been sightseeing, visiting holy places in Jerusalem and Galilee and has met with Premier Yitzhak Rabin, Foreign Minister Yigal Allon and Defense Minister Shimon, Peres since he arrived at Ben Gurion Airport shortly before midnight Thursday, accompanied by Mrs. Vorster and South African Foreign Minister Hilgarde Muller.
The main working talks between Vorster and Israeli leaders are scheduled to take place here tomorrow. Meanwhile, Israeli sources have been reluctant to label Vorster’s visit as “official” or “semi-official,” though it is obviously not a “private” visit. This reflects the sensitivity felt here over playing host to the leader of an apartheid regime which has been condemned by much of the world. On the other hand, relations between Israel and South Africa have been solid on the diplomatic and commercial levels since the Yom Kippur War.
SPECULATION ABOUT VORSTER’S VISIT
There has been speculation as to the reason for Vorster’s visit at this time. When it was announced a week ago by Rabin, it was characterized by some sources as a “pilgrimage” to the holy places. There have been no comments here on reports from Pretoria that Vorster is interested in buying Israel-made arms or that he will solicit Israeli support for an “anti-Communist front” in southern Africa.
Israeli sources said today that Vorster’s meetings with government leaders so far have been devoted to a survey of the Middle East situation and a briefing by the South African Prime Minister and his Foreign Minister on recent events in the southern portion of the African continent.
Security arrangements for Vorster’s visit are unusually tight. He and Muller and their wives were greeted at the airport by Premier and Mrs. Rabin and Foreign Minister and Mrs. Allon. They were surrounded by large numbers of security men and Israeli and foreign reporters were not permitted to approach the El Al plane that brought Vorster and his party. There are 14 South African newsmen and a number of officials accompanying the South African leader.
On Friday he spent considerable time at the Yad Vashem memorial for Holocaust victims where he laid a wreath. Later he paid a courtesy call on President Ephraim Katzir, visited the Israel Museum, the Western Wall and Christian shrines in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. He also visited the Israel Aircraft Industries plant and has toured Galilee, the Golan Heights and Sinai since his arrival. He was honored at a banquet given by Rabin and reciprocated with one for the Israeli Premier.
VISIT DEFENDED…
The Jerusalem Post in an editorial said the visit “puts an end to the long dilemma posed by the need to respond to South Africa’s outstretched hand of friendship and support.” The newspaper noted that Israel is opposed to apartheid but said there was no reason to “make common cause with the hypocrites of the world who have sought to turn South Africa into a pariah state.” The Post said Israel and South Africa share interests “which should be developed despite the ideological differences which continue to exist.”
The Histadrut newspaper Davar said that the hostility of radical elements in the Third World and Communist countries have enhanced the mutual understanding between Israel and South Africa despite the many differences between them.
…AND CRITICIZED
(Meanwhile, in New York, the American board of Givat Haviva Educational Foundation, an organization supporting the Givat Haviva Institute in Israel which is affiliated with Kibbutz Haartzi, denounced Vorster’s visit. In a telegram to Rabin, 17 members and friends of the Foundation expressed shock and dismay at Vorster’s visit “for the reported purpose of arranging a major sale of Israeli arms to the South African government. Nothing would contribute more to heightening the damage done by the reprehensible UN resolution on Zionism than for Israel to emerge in open alliance with the racist South African regime. As Zionists, we strongly urge you to reconsider.”)
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