§ 9. Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will seek to arrange a meeting with the Prime Minister of Israel.
§ Lord BalnielMy right hon. Friend has no plans at present to meet the Prime Minister of Israel.
§ Mr. MadelThere are demands in certain quarters that the enlarged European Community should mediate between Israel and the Arab States. Does my right hon. Friend agree that we have reached the point where direct talks between Israel and its Arab neighbours is essential and that for Western Europe to try to mediate merely postpones the day when talks should begin, and that that denies us a major European interest, which is direct talks between the parties in dispute?
§ Lord BalnielMy hon. Friend is correct in that direct talks between the parties in dispute would be most desirable. In so far as the EEC—the Nine—are concerned, they share the common desire to achieve a peaceful settlement on the basis of the Security Council Resolution No. 242. They are not at present contemplating any initiative to promote negotiations, although I am sure they will do all they can to assist. We cannot ignore the fact that one of the parties in the dispute has clearly stated the need for an intermediary. Ideally, this should be Dr. Jarring.
§ Mr. KaufmanWhen the Government next communicate with the Prime Minister of Israel will they note the happy news of the celebration of Israel's 25th anniversary in May, and will this country be represented by a member of the Royal Family—since in the last 25 years members of the Royal Family have, quite rightly, on many occasions visited Arab countries, but so far no member of the Royal Family has yet visited the State of Israel?
§ Lord BalnielWe will certainly bear the suggestion in mind.
§ Mr. FidlerIs my right hon. Friend aware that only a few days ago I returned from Israel after leading a delegation of 891 the Board of Deputies of British Jews, as its President, and that I have seen Mrs. Meier, the Prime Minister, Mr. Yigal Allow the Deputy Prime Minister, and Abba Eban, the Foreign Minister? Will my right hon. Friend take note of their urgent and genuine desire to meet their Arab neighbours round the negotiating table as the only way of achieving a lasting settlement in the Middle East? Will he use his best efforts with the Arab countries to urge them to come into such negotiations, and make the same representations to our new partners in the wider European Economic Community?
§ Lord BalnielI am indeed aware that my hon. Friend made a most valuable visit to Israel, and I am looking forward to discussing the matter in detail with him. As he says, the participants to the dispute must come together before a long-term solution can be reached.