Reacting to the cabinet decision of that day, Mr. Shamir felt that Israel was not looking at "any kind of a proposal we can seriously consider", hence there was no urgency to the issue, debate on which was postponed to a future meeting of the cabinet. He also stated again that Israel was prepared to accept Palestinians in a Jordanian-Palestinian delegation, provided they are not connected with the PLO and that Israel must approve the list of the Palestinian participants. Text:
Q: How would you describe what is or is not contained in what is termed the Mubarak Initiative?
A: The very fact that the cabinet decided today to postpone the discussion on this matter proves that there is nothing pressing, there is nothing substantive demanding any kind of government decision in this entire issue, which was called - apparently mistakenly - the "Mubarak Initiative." And I don't say this happily, because 1, too, like many others, am interested in improving our relations with Egypt and some day achieving peace with all the Arab nations. But it seems that the conditions are not yet ripe for this, and in any event, we are not looking at any kind of proposal we can seriously consider as to whether or not we should accept it, how to accept it, or whether we should reject it. I see a danger in the attempt to create an atmosphere of intoxication - what is called euphoria. This is not the first time we are dealing with the matter of negotiations - if this was the first time, then maybe it [this atmosphere] could be understood. Negotiations with the Arab countries on solving the dispute between us is a very serious matter, and we must approach it in a balanced way; thoughtfully, so as not to lose the very possibility of living and existing in security and in real peace; and this is the dangerous thing I see that could have developed this past week. I hope that when real peace proposals really are forthcoming, we will not respond this way. We will examine, consider, consult, and we will see what we can say, what we must not say, what we can propose, what must not be proposed, because this is a very serious matter.
Q: Regarding the question of a Jordanian-Palestinian delegation coming to the negotiations, which would have members who are not identified with the PLO - are you in agreement with the view that Israel needn't examine too closely the Palestinian representatives - a view attributed to Menachem Begin?
A: I can say two things about this: First, it's clear that from the outset the Egyptians' intention, and the Jordanians', was, via the agreement signed or not signed - because this is not clear - between Arafat and Hussein, to bring the U.S. to establishing official relations with the PLO, and conducting negotiations with them. And for this purpose, Egypt did not want Israel to respond negatively to this agreement, as Israel's non-negative reaction to such a development would make it easier for the U.S. to go in the direction of negotiations with the PLO - something that goes against our interests. To our good fortune, things did not turn out as the Egyptians thought they would. There were very strong reactions in Israel against this very attempt. Now, regarding negotiations and talks between us and Egyptian and Jordanian delegations with the participation of Palestinian Arabs or Arabs of Eretz Israel: this was mentioned at Camp David, this was agreed upon more or less, but it is clear, from the outset that if Palestinians participate in such a delegation, this list, the list of participants, must be acceptable to Israel. And this is the determining factor.
Q: Acceptable to Israel, but should Israel examine very closely whether or not they are identified with the PLO?
A: Israel must know that these people are not PLO members and do not represent the PLO.