Defense Minister Moshe Dayan said yesterday there was “no sense” in reaching an interim agreement on the Suez Canal unless it was “clearly indicated” that the war was over. There is no sense in reaching a partial agreement when the danger of a renewed war exists, he said.
Addressing a Labor Party meeting on military and political problems, he criticized the Party of which he is a member for its factionalism and for electing party officials because of their affiliation with the various factions and not because of their ideas and views. The Labor Party represents the merger of Mapai, Rafi and Achdut Haavoda Parties.
NOT A CANDIDATE FOR PREMIERSHIP
Dayan said that he does not regard himself as a candidate for the Premiership when Golda Meir steps down. “Mapai would not want me,” he stated, and thus his candidacy to the Premiership would not be realistic. Despite this, he added, he would like to continue in political life.
Noting that Israel can hold the canal line indefinitely if necessary, Dayan rejected the idea of a demilitarized Sinai asking: “Who is to safeguard the demilitarization?” The United Nations forces are no solution, he said. It has been proved that they can be evacuated.
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