Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Mrs. Meir: Ambition to Make Sure 1967 War Last One Between Israel, Arabs

August 11, 1971
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

An estimated 12 million viewers tuned in BBC last night for an hour-long presentation of Premier Golda Meir’s attitudes, including a definition of her aims as Premier and a disclaimer of any interest in another term as Premier. BBC officials said copies of the film have been sold to many other countries, Mrs. Meir said she had striven to make sure that “the mistake of 1967” the Six-Day War, “is not repeated.” Her ambition, she said, was to make the 1967 war “the last one between ourselves and the Arabs. She also touched on some personal matters, declaring she wanted to retire before people became impatient with her and started waiting for her resignation. She said also that she hoped to die before her mind becomes enfeebled by old age. Saying she had never made a will, Mrs. Meir remarked she had once, during a serious illness, written “a kind of testament-letter to my sister and children in which I ask that no eulogies be delivered about me after my death and that nothing should bear my name.” She revealed that not only had she never believed she had always done the right thing in her busy public life, but in fact “I am often assailed by doubt.”

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement