260. Editorial Note
On July 2, 1978, Vice President Walter F. Mondale gave a speech at a state dinner held at the Knesset. In the speech, Mondale remarked, “The people of Israel confront painful decisions in this process. They involve negotiating the future of territories which have been occupied for a decade and which, in the absence of peace have provided a sense of security. But no one of us can forget the history of the Middle East. For 6 years after the 1967 war, there was no progress toward peace. And another tragic war followed in 1973.”
Mondale continued that, “we are convinced that without eventual withdrawal on all fronts, to boundaries agreed upon in negotiations and safeguarded by effective security arrangements, there can be no lasting peace. Only Israel can be the final judge of its security needs. Only the parties can draw the final boundary lines. But if there is to be peace, the implicit bargain of U.N. Resolution 242 must be fulfilled.”
Mondale then discussed approaches to peace. He stated, “In the Sinai, Israel has proposed a peace treaty in which there would be negotiated withdrawal and security would be achieved while relinquishing claims to territory. This approach can be applied in the West Bank and Gaza as well.” He also noted, “Real peace will clearly serve Israel’s security interests. But both during the transition period, and after a peace settlement, Israel’s need for concrete security arrangements must be met. Any peace settlement must include continued, assured, permanent protection for Israel. The United States and Israel are completely united on this point.” (Department of State Bulletin, August 1978, pages 33–37)