Israeli Premier Menachem Begin declared last night here that “peace will be established soon, but we must be a little patient.” His comments were made to 3000 persons at a reception the Israeli Premier gave in honor of Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
“I invite you Mr. Prime Minister,” Begin said to Trudeau, who was standing next to him, “to be the guest of myself and my wife in Israel. After so many wars, imprisonments and concentration camps, today is a great day for us.”
Trudeau replied that “after the tremendous ovations which greeted your presence in the House of Commons today, I thought that an alliance may be struck between the Liberal Party of Canada (Trudeau’s party) and the Likud,” Begin’s party. In a more serious vein, Trudeau said, “you are the leader of a valiant and industrious people and you came here at the moment of a turning paint in the history of Israel. By your presence and the timing of your visit, you have honored us, the people and the government of Canada.”
Trudeau said Begin had received the Nobel Peace Prize not only “for your skill and talent but also for the hardships endured by the people of Israel. I had the pleasure to participate in the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the State of Israel in Montreal and I could not help thinking of the relation existing between the pogroms and persecutions against Jews and the vitality of the State of Israel. In this admiration, you have the explanation of Canada’s wholesome support of Israel. You too have suffered, have been departed to Siberia and to the concentration camps but you survived to promote peace in the Middle East and play a crucial role for the sake of Israel, the Arabs in the Middle East and the whole world.
BEGIN TELLS OF ‘SWEET RECEPTION’
Earlier in the day yesterday, Begin addressed 500 leaders from 50 Jewish communities throughout Canada and told them “I got a sweet reception at the House of Commons today. Never did I dream to have one like that in the Knesset.” Begin said “Jerusalem remains united and indivisible as long as Israel exists.”
He described the cooperation between Egypt and Israel on the Suez Canal, oil explorations in the Sinai, and added that Israeli forces will stay on the West Bank and defend “the security of our children.” Begin said he was looking for an important loan from the United States for “the resettlement of the Yamit residents and for the building of new airports. The United States Congress, I hope will consider our request in dignity.”
TRADE DISCUSSED
Begin told newsmen after the reception, “I did not ask for any financial help from the government of Canada, but we asked for a balance in out trade exchanges which is completely natural.” Sources here said the balance was running heavily in favor of Canada due to important Israeli purchases.
Begin, after a private meeting with Trudeau earlier in the day, told newsmen that he was “satisfied with the measures contemplated by the Canadian government toward the Arab boycott of firms doing business with Israel.” Trudeau added that, “I am guided by the opinions of Canadian Jewish leaders who agree with me on the way to tackle the Arab boycott.”
While Begin and Trudeau were meeting, about 100 Palestinian Arabs and Iranian youths demonstrated noisily outside the parliament building against Israel and the Shah. They waved an Israeli flag with a swastika pointed next to the Star of David and shouted “Long live the people’s war,” “Long live the Palestinians.” About 50 helmeted Canadian Royal Mounted Police Kept order and the demonstrators dispersed after Begin and Trudeau left.
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.
