42. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Israel1
142358. For Ambassador. Subject: Presidential Congratulatory Message and Invitation to Prime Minister Begin.
1. Please pass the following message from the President to Prime Minister as soon as practicable after the government is approved by Knesset and duly invested. White House does not plan release but has no objection if GOI wishes to do so.
2. Presidential Message—Begin text:
Dear Mr. Prime Minister:
Please accept my warmest congratulations on your accession as Prime Minister, and the best wishes of the American people for the success of your government. The process of democratic choice which has brought you to this office and this responsibility demonstrates the attachment of Israel to the principles of democracy and individual liberty which we share and which is the hallmark of all free societies. We are linked as well with your great nation in our commitment to the moral precepts of democracy: its humanitarian values of peace, justice, and individual dignity. These common and fundamental democratic precepts, shared between us, are the foundation of our special relationship and the commitment to Israel’s security which the United States has historically maintained.
As you know, I am deeply committed to helping Israel and its neighbors seek a lasting peaceful resolution to the conflict between them. I am sure that this is an objective I share with you, and I would welcome your ideas on how progress towards peace can best be achieved. Given the depth and range of our mutual interests, I believe it important that we meet at an early date to establish a personal relationship and exchange views on the negotiations of a peace settlement and on other matters of mutual concern.
I would like, therefore, to invite you to visit the United States during the week of July 18 and to join with you in a partnership of principle leading to a just and peaceful settlement of the dispute between Israel and its neighbors. We both are blessed with the historic opportunity to give substance to the religious meaning of our societies.
With best wishes.
Sincerely, Jimmy Carter
[Page 317]End text.
3. On delivering Presidential letter, you should add orally that the President hopes that Begin could be in Washington on July 19 and 20. We would appreciate Begin’s confirming as soon as possible that these dates would be acceptable.
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Staff Material, Middle East File, Subject File, Box 48, Israel: 6/77. Confidential; Niact Immediate.↩