55 Remarks in the Knesset by Prime Minister Peres- 5 March 1985

The cabinet's decision of 3 March to the Mubarak proposals, led to motions in the Knesset expressing non-confidence in the government. Replying in the Knesset, the prime minister explained that the Mubarak proposal could usher a process whereby the United States would start talking with the PLO behind Israel's back. To this Israel could not agree. Excerpts:

"We cannot and need not agree to everything President Mubarak proposed. I have also said what not to agree to. There are also good points in his proposals. For example, the fact that he has abandoned the international conference [idea] - is this a good point or not? Even an emissary coming to Jerusalem - is this a good point or not? Even one of the two proposals being direct negotiations - is this a virtue or a fault? So I don't say that we agreed 100 percent. And now I want to ask the Knesset members: Why do you so want to say 'no?' What does this ,no' give you? What did Israel lose by clarifying its positions, and saying what it agrees to and what it does not agree to? Did this hurt our pride? Was our international standing worsened, or bolstered? Clarification of Israel's positions as I described them: Discussions - at the first stage, why not? Later, if a condition is created for negotiations - yes! Improving relations with Egypt - Yes! We've been proposing this for some time. Meeting with a Jordanian-Palestinian delegation without the PLO - yes! To go behind our backs in the U.S., and enter the back door and sell Arafat with his guns... no! And this position is very clear."