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12
ment and what about the big
powers?
A.
Much
to our regret, the United
Nations is not yet powerful enough to
withstand the pressures of a super–
power. To be realistic, we think that
the Soviets are here now, involved deep–
ly enough, to be reckoned with. There–
fore, sorne sort of understanding will
probably have to be reached between the
two superpowers, provided that Ameri–
ca
-
which is pleading our
case
-
will
have the basic understanding of those
mínimum demands we voice, which are
the desires to live in security and peace
among the nations.
Q.
The Arabs continually call for
Israel to relinquish all occupied Arab
territory, of which they consider the
Old City of Jerusalem a part. Mean–
while Israel has made it plain that it
has no intention of ever giving up
The
PLAIN TRUTH
East Jerusalem. Would you comment
on this please ?
A.
Jerusalem has been continuously
populated by Jews for the last tbree
thousand years of recorded history. The
only time - the only time - when we
had no access to the wailing wall, to our
synagogues there, to our shrines, were
the 20 years of Arab occupation. And
not a single Jew could enter there un–
less he carne on a foreign passport and
didn't disclose the fact that he was
Jewish. Now that we are in control,
there is perfect freedom of religion. I
think we are taking very good care of
the holy places. As a matter of a fact,
we asked the religious authorities of
various denominations to take over the
control of their holy shrines so that
there will never, never again be a ques–
tion that one religion
is
discriminated
against and is not allowed to pray there.
11
We
are ready for a peaceful settlement
with Israel, provided that the
lsraelis are willing to withdraw from
the territories they occupy.
11
-
Anwar Nusseiba ,
former
Defense Minister
of
Jordan
AN"WíR NUSSEIBA, member of one
of the oldest and most respected
Arab famílies in Jerusalem, is an out–
standing political personality in the
Arab world. As a young Palestinian
nationalist, in 1947, he was Secretary
of the Arab National League in Jeru–
salem. In 1950 he became a member
of the first Jord-anian Parliament.
Since 1952 he has held key posts in
successive cabinets, including Minister
of Defense during which time he also
held the portfolios of Education and
Development. From 1960 to 1962 he
was Governor of the Jordanian sector
of Jerusalem and from 1962 until his
resignation in 1967 he was the Jor–
danian Ambassador in London. He is
currently living in Jerusalem.
Q.
Why is it tbat Arabs and Israelis
are so friendly on a personal leve! aod
yet seem to bave so many problems oo
the natiooal leve!?
A.
Arabs have nothing agaiost the
Jews, either racially or religiously. We
believe that we come from the same
roots and our religion is based on the
Jewish tradition. Therefore, as far as
we are concerned, there was never any
reason for any confiict between us and
the Jews. However, since the advent of
Zionism, as we know it, and the creation
of a Jewish enclave within a territory,
which had been Arab, inhabited by
Arabs, for thousands of years, the coo–
flict became entirely a política! confiict.
It caused the 1948 war, and, as a result
of it the country was divided. Then
there was some fighting in 1956 and
November 1971
Politically, for maoy decades now,
long befare this state was established,
there was a Jewish majority in Jeru–
salem. This city has now been united;
the walls which divided the two parts of
it were removed. Economically I don't
think that anybody lost by
it.
The Arab
population seems to have benefited
greatly. We have waited 2,000 years
to
come
back to Jerusalem. We have
been praying three times a day for the
Lord to bring us back to Jerusalem.
Now that He has, we won't give it back.
Why should we? Were others better
custodians of the holy places than we
are? Are we inferior to the Turks?
To the British administration? To Jor–
dan? Should we go back two centuries
to the Egyptians, to the Mamelukes, to
the Byzantine Empire? There were
waves of states coming and going, rul–
ing this Holy City. Did any one of them
account himself better than we did? O
finally in 1967. But in spite of the fight–
ing we still see no reason, under the
right conditions, why Arabs and Jews
should not be living together.
We think that there is a great deal
to be gained from such co-existence. In
the past, when we worked together -
in the heyday of our people - the
Arabs and tbe Jews togetber were able
to produce a great tradition, a great
culture, and a very great contribution to
civilization. We see no reason why the
same thing should not happen again,
provided we can dissolve our political
problems.
Q.
If
Israel were to withdraw imme–
diately to the 1967 borders would that
bring peace?
A.
According to my understanding of
the statements of al! the Arab leaders
concerned,
yes!
But such action must be
within the context of the Security Couo–
cil Resolution. In other words, in addi–
tion to withdrawal, there are other prob–
lems: the problem of the refugees, for
instance, and the problem of passage
through international waterways.
Q.
As an Arab in this area, do you
have freedom of movement, freedom
of speech and freedom of commerce?
A.
I have never been interfered with
in any way, as far as expressing my