Papers renew attacks on W. Bank settlement

Press, 13 June 1979, Page 8

Papers renew attacks on W. Bank settlement

NZPA-Reuter Cairo Egyptian newspapers yesterday launched fresh attacks on Israel’s policy of establishing Jewish settlements in its occupied territories and expressed doubt about Israel’s seriousness in carrying out the peace treaty signed by the two nations. The attacks came as Egyptian, Israeli, and United States delegations met again in Alexandria to try to complete procedural details for talks on Palestinian autonomy in the territories. The authoritative Cairo newspaper, “Al-Ahram,” said in a front-page article: “The question of Israel is very strange. When the Egyptian press criticises statements by Israeli officials. on the autonomy talks, this is considered a threat to peace and obstruction to the talks . . But when Menachem Begin (the Israeli Prime Minister) says Israel will not agree to the creation of a Palestinian State, there is nothing in this threatening peace . . . ’ i Moussa Sabri, editor of the mass-circulation “All-Ak-hbar,” wrote yesterday ht was surprised by uproat over his previous article criticising Israel. He saic similar attacks on the Israeli Government’s policy hac come from American newspapers and most of the world. In his first article Mr Sabri said the United States should ‘‘cut Mr Begin down to size and cut oft the snake’s head before 'it spits out its venom. Dr Yosef Burg, Israel’s Interior Minister and heac of his country’s delegatior ito the Alexandria talks, or i Monday rebuked Egypt foi 4he press attack on Mi I Begin, saying it could harrr (delicate negotiations or I Palestinian self-rule. ; Israeli Radio quoted mem bers of the Israeli delegatior as saying the autonomy talks might be broken off i Egyptian newspapers con I tinned personal attacks or IMr Begin. Dr Burg gave nt ihint ol is in -.3 statement. In Jerusalem, Mr Begir has reacted sharply to wha he called an inflammatory campaign against the Israel Government and himself both in Israel and abroad. Although he referred spe cifically only to a “New York Times” editorial, hi appeared to be replying tt other recent statements ir the United States and ir Egypt and by members o the “Peace Now ’- movemen and the Labour Party in Is rael. Mr Begin repeated hi claim that Israel had agreet to halt Jewish settlement or the West Bank only durin; the three months of negotia tions which ended last De cember.