Mr. Rabin's Haaretz interview led to the Likud tabling a motion for the agenda to have the Knesset debate what the Likud considered a radical change in Israel's negotiating position and a reversal of previously held stands. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Allon was in Washington to discuss the prospects for negotiations with Egypt which could involve a partial Israeli withdrawal in Sinai. In his reply Mr. Rabin announced that there was no deviation from the government's position irrespective of newspaper interviews and expressions in other places. Text.
Mr. Speaker, Members of the Knesset,
The issues raised by the members of the Knesset in their motions for the agenda are political issues on which a report is made from time to the Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and by myself. Every now and again, and especially on the threshold of political decisions, a detailed political discussion is held in this committee, including (discussion) on the basis of secret information which is the concern of the Committee - whose discussions are not made public - and not of the Knesset plenum. Thus, if it is the aim of the proposers to make use of the article in "Ha'aretz" for the purpose of polemics this has now been accomplished. But if the aim is for a full debate, I prefer that this be done within the framework of the Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee, while in the plenum I shall content myself with a few brief remarks.
A. The State of Israel desires and is ready for peace immediately, but we are not of the opinion that in the absence of peace only the path of war remains. Therefore, our policy affirms progress towards peace in stages as well, by interim settlements. We find it incumbent upon ourselves at this time to impede the war-mongers in the Arab world, who present prior conditions to any dialogue and negotiation, who wish to undermine the stability in the region - and even progress in stages is therefore preferred by us to a situation likely to lead to deterioration, to resumption of fire.
Now that the Security Council, with the consent of the countries concerned, has resolved on extension of the UNDOF mandate, following extension of the UNEF mandate, we should like to hope that - aided by the good offices of the U.S. Secretary of State, Dr. Kissinger - a cycle of political contacts will be resumed, first of all with the government of Egypt, with the aim of securing progress towards peace. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Yigal Allon, is now in the United States in this connection. Mr. Allon is equipped with guidelines on behalf of the government, which are known in the main to the House and to the Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee. The most recent Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee discussion with the participation of the Foreign Minister was held on 3.12.1974. The fundamentals of our policy were presented by me in the Knesset, in the political statement I delivered on 5.11.1974. This statement is the authoritative definition of our policy, and for all the interest there may be in expressions in other places, in talks and in articles in the press. I recommend to the Members of the Knesset that they relate to the government's policy in accordance with its authoritative statements in the House.
B. I hope that upon the Foreign Minister's return, we shall be in possession of fuller information, which will constitute a basis for continuation of the discussion and even for adoption of decisions, insofar as necessary. At this stage I see no need for a further and detailed illumination of our policy on the subjects now being discussed with the leaders of the administration in the United States.
C. We are well aware, particularly after the Rabat conference, that there are strong elements, not only in Syria, pressing for resumption of the fighting - and pursuing this trend of theirs. These elements are attempting not only to block the path to peace, but also to disrupt any stage likely to prevent or even postpone resumption of the fighting. I do not hesitate to state that the government's move, including my intention and expressions, are designed not only to declare our desires, what we consider necessary, but (also) not to permit distortion of our intentions, (and) to prevent Israel being accused of recalcitrance and impermeability regarding seeking a way for the opening of negotiations. We are still struggling for the opening of negotiations, for the resumption of dialogue. We are not wasting one single hour necessary for preparedness and military strengthening, lest the power of those elements moving to war in the Arab states - even in Egypt - be on the ascendant. But we consider it our duty to impede this trend.
The Members of the Knesset speak - in great detail - of the components of the agreement with Egypt, but I permit myself to remind them that until this very moment, we are still not assured that negotiations will indeed be held. We are still at the stage of the effort aimed at persuasion towards the political option, and not to ease matters for anyone desirous of describing the situation as though only a one-way street remains - to set in motion the engines of the military machine, to war.
Once discussions commence on an interim settlement with Egypt, our readiness will be revealed to reach an agreement, combined with insistence on reasonable and just conditions stemming from political sobriety, from the lessons of our experience - concurrent with careful perusal of the opposite side's commitments and political and military implications.
Members of the Knesset,
None of us want war. But if our enemies decide to commence fighting, they will find us prepared. If, however, anyone entertained the thought that we would be complacent, or neutral, regarding the effort to prevent war - he will have been mistaken.
Ours is a path of active policy for resumption of negotiations, concurrent with a punctilious watch over the components of the settlement, in order to ensure as far as possible that there be no determination and the conditions be prepared on the way to attaining peace - that is our path at this time. We are aware that there are in the Knesset parties which reject in principle the path of progress by stages. I regret this, but we were elected to our office in order to conduct policy according to our way and not according to the policy of others.
The government operates in punctilious observance of the Knesset's authority. Decisive political moves will be made only in accordance with its policy and authority.
I move that the motions be referred for discussion in the Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee.