Ivan J. Novick, president of the Zionist Organization of America, expressed doubts about “the impartiality of the American ‘moderators’ and the earnestness of the Administration to actually bring about peace between Israel and Egypt.”
Addressing the ZOA’s national executive committee, he also said that claims have been made, “and not without cause, that (Egyptian President Anwar) Sadat’s demands for changing the agreements reached at Camp David emanated from the White House and the State Department who seek to placate the (Arab) rejectionist front which recently assembled in Baghdad and declared war on the Camp David decisions.”
Novick noted that a number of events in the Mideast have played a role “in cautioning Sadat to move more slowly towards peace with Israel, if he should not get the concessions to placate the Islamic fundamentalists.” Among these events, Novick referred to the situation in Iran and the unsettling developments in Iraq, South Yemen and Afghanistan.
“The effect of all this on the Israel-Egypt situation is quite obvious,” he observed. “Sadat no doubt has reason to fear a rebellion of the Moslem brethren in Egypt, which would seriously threaten his government….On the other hand, Israel must also be cautious in any agreement she makes with Sadat, and whether they will be honored by those who may follow him.”
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.
