Dr. Nahum Goldmann, president of the World Jewish Congress, called on Israel to produce a peace plan of its own. “If the Arabs reject it, the whole world would see that the Arabs are simply bluffing,” Goldmann told reporters at Ben Gurion Airport Friday prior to leaving for West Germany to negotiate a final reparations settlement.
The WJC head said he was convinced that the projected meeting between a delegation of world Jewish leaders and President Anwar Sadat of Egypt would take place. “We are only waiting for the dates to be fixed,” he said. He said the delegation would be headed by Philip Klutznick, chairman of the WJC’s Board of Governors. He said he would not participate because Sadat considered him “too Zionist” but he did not rule out a separate meeting later between himself and Sadat.
Goldmann said that one should try to take Sadat seriously. “Let the Israelis for once–and they have not done that as yet–produce a plan of their own for a peace proposal and recognition of the Arabs. Let us see what would be the reaction of the Arabs to the Israeli plan. If they reject it, the whole world would see that the Arabs are bluffing.” Goldmann said.
SEES CHANCE FOR BREAKTHROUGH
Addressing the international conference of Jewish journalists in Jerusalem Thursday night, Goldmann reiterated his belief that for the first time in 28 years there is a real chance for a breakthrough for a Middle East settlement. He said his optimism was based on his belief that most Arab countries are ready to accept Israel because they finally realize there is no way to destroy her. But Goldmann criticized the Israeli government which, he contended, so far has presented a “schizophrenic face” to the world with every minister proposing his own personal peace plan and his own view of what constitutes secure borders.
Goldmann said that he expects to meet with West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt and other senior officials–possibly in Hamburg–to discuss an agreement for 600 million Marks as final compensation for Nazi victims. (By Yitzhak Shargil)
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.
