HC Deb 22 February 1972 vol 831 cc1095-6
Q2. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Prime Minister what plans he has for seeking to pay an official visit to Israel.

The Prime Minister

My right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary expects to make an official visit to Israel next month: but I have at present no plans to do so.

Mr. Hamilton

I am very gratified to know that the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary is going, especially as it is some while since he visited the Arab countries. Can the Prime Minister give an assurance that the Government intend to play the rôle of the honest broker—well, honest as far as they can be—to bring together the natural resources of the Arab world and the great human and technical resources of the Jews in the interests of the peace of the whole area?

The Prime Minister

My right hon. Friend visited the Arab Republic of Egypt from 12th to 15th September. On this occasion he is going to Israel. This demonstrates that we wish for nothing but peace in the Middle East. I believe it fair to say that since 1967 both Administrations have been working, within the context of the United Nations Resolution, to try to find a permanent settlement between Israel and the Arab countries.

Mr. Churchill

As the greatest obstacle to the achievement of a peaceful settlement in the Middle East has been the direct military intervention by a super Power, establishing naval and air force bases in the area and introducing its own military and air force personnel to the extent of more than 15,000, will my right hon. Friend, in consultation with the allies of this country, press for the removal of those forces which pose such a direct threat to the independence of every State in the Middle East?

The Prime Minister

This would obviously be taken into account by Egypt and the other Arab countries in negotiating a peace settlement. Once there is a peace treaty in which the Arab countries accept that Israel is there to stay and that they will live together, obviously the need for any external presence from another power is no longer necessary.

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