Word: israell
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...Israel a group of 200 rabbis and heads of Yeshivas posted proclamations in their synagogues and schools completely opposing Israel's withdrawal from even one inch of the West Bank territory, which they regard as an organic part of biblical Eretz Israel (the Land of Israel). At the same time, however, tens of thousands of "Peace Now" demonstrators crowded downtown Tel Aviv protesting Begin's intransigence on the occupied territories. Said one of the movement's founders, Yossi Ben-Artzi: "This is a historic chance to achieve peace; it comes perhaps once in a generation...
Sadat, meanwhile, is known to have taken to the summit a concrete and detailed peace plan calling on Israel to withdraw from the occupied territory in return for what he regards as substantial security arrangements. These proposals, which the Egyptians are billing as "a new peace initiative," have an undisguised dual purpose. They just might succeed in breaking the log jam that has stalled the peace process. But if they are rejected by the Israelis, it could bolster Cairo's argument that Begin is the primary obstacle to peace. Sadat, in fact, is believed to have come...
...According to high-ranking Egyptians, he is considering several options. He could, for example, cancel the 1975 Sinai Disengagement Agreement. This would enormously increase tension in the area and could start a chain of events leading to new hostilities. Sadat could also ask the U.N. Security Council to condemn Israel's occupation of Arab lands and demand immediate withdrawal. If Begin emerges from Camp David splattered with blame for the summit's failure, then Washington might find it very difficult to veto such a resolution...
Sadat is said to be aware that his actions must not embarrass Carter or alienate the U.S. public. For this reason he is not expected to ask other Arab states to brandish the "oil weapon," unless it could be directed solely against Israel without affecting the U.S. Similarly, he may be hesitant about putting Washington on the spot at the U.N. by demanding a blanket condemnation of Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Such a move could create a painful dilemma for Carter. A U.S. veto would enrage much of the world, including the Saudis...
Sadat is thus likely to proceed with caution, at least for a while. He might restrict himself to asking the Security Council merely to condemn the Israeli settlements in the occupied territories. Not only are these communities opposed by factions inside Israel, but the U.S. has branded them "illegal...