Premier Golda Meir denied today that there was a rift in her Cabinet over an Israeli peace initiative proposed by Foreign Minister Abba Eban. She claimed that press reports of the matter were “highly inaccurate.” According to the reports, Mr. Eban’s proposal was aimed at restoring the cease-fire agreement along the Egyptian front but it was overwhelmingly rejected by his Cabinet colleagues. The main opponent was Mrs. Meir who claimed that an Israeli initiative would be misread by the Egyptians as a sign of weakness, reports here said.
Mrs. Meir said on a radio interview today that the Government agreed that as long as the other side does not adhere to the cease-fire agreements, Israel must take all possible steps to protect its security. She said Israel was ready to observe the cease fire fully as soon as the other side stops shooting. According to unconfirmed reports, Mr. Eban’s position was that President Nasser could not see a return to the cease-fire without suffering greater humiliation and therefore it was up to Israel to make an approach. He reportedly argued that Israel was in a position to do this because it has already demonstrated its overwhelming military superiority. Mr. Eban was said to have been supported by the so-called “doves” but they are a minority in the Government.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
