Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio) Menahem Begin has taken office as Israel's prime minister; government incls. Moshe Dayan as foreign minister. One of biggest controversies now in progress in Mid. East is fate of west bank area of Jordan; differing views of Israelis, Arabs and Palestinians noted. (Taped interview shown.) Anchor asks Dayan if he'd consider west bank being part of Jordan, as he has rejected idea of separate Palestinian state there. [DAYAN - believes west bank residents should keep contact with Jordan, but not that annexation of area by Jordan is solution.] Anchor asks with regard to Israel giving up part of w. bank. [DAYAN - doesn't see west bank relinquished to Jordan as acceptable to any Israeli.] Anchor asks for Dayan's reaction to President Carter's stand on Palestinian homeland. [DAYAN - says all must have homeland, but if that's interpreted as Palestinian state, doesn't believe west bank and Gaza strip could become such.] Anchor asks with regard to Carter statement on 2 sets of Israeli borders. [DAYAN - feels this should be clarified during Begin's trip to Washington, DC in July.] Anchor asks if he's happy to be back in government [DAYAN - is happy to be trying to solve problems with Arabs.]
REPORTER: Barbara Walters