Foreign Minister Abba S. Eban said in the foreword to a new book on Israel published here today that “the task is to construct a new system of relations in the Middle East. marked by peace instead of hatred; cooperation instead of boycott; free commerce of goods and ideas instead of blockade and ostracism.” He added that “our vision is of a Middle Eastern community of states, respectful of individual sovereignty while striving for a growing pattern of regional integration.”
The book, entitled “Israel,” is by Robert St. John, author and former correspondent, in association with the editors of Time-Life Books. It was published by Time-Life Books.
The Israeli foreign minister said that “if there is now more hope of peace, it is because all Middle Eastern people have empirical reason to despair of war.” He pointed out that “the Arab mind has never grasped however reluctantly, the depth of and authenticity of Israel’s roots in Middle East life. Israel cannot be excluded from the past glory, the present reality and the future destiny of this region. To present this fact to Arab and world opinion, in whatever form, is not only an intellectual exercise, it is also an urgent international necessity.”
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