University of Virginia Library

Israeli Professor Cites Problem Of Lands

Meir Pa'il, a professor of history at Tel
Aviv University in Israel told members of
the University community Monday night
that "there can be no peace in the Middle
East unless all of the nations respect the
national sovereignty of other nations to
self-determination."

Mr. Pa'il, who is also a high ranking
officer in the Israeli army, was sponsored
by the University Chapter of American
Professors for Peace in the Middle East.

"The land Israel holds is like funds,"
continued Mr. Pa'il, "and the political
advantages are like interest. The land is the only
bargaining point Israel holds and we intend to
get the most out of the interest."

"The higher the political price the Arab
states pay," he added, "the more land they will
get back."

The professor of history claimed that he
believed that the bargaining for a political peace
in the Mideast is now in its first stage with
Israel and Egypt negotiating over the Suez
Canal area and over the area's occupation of the
Israeli troops.

"The second phase of negotiations will then
begin with Jordan", he stated. Although the
Israeli professor believed that the question of
Jerusalem would be a bargaining point in those
negotiations he did not feel that the city would
be a real deterrent to peace with Jordan.

Third Phase

"The third phase of negotiations," he added,
"will perhaps be with Egypt over the opening of
borders and the end of economic boycotts."

On the problem of refugees, Mr. Pa'il stated
that Israel has already offered to help find a
solution to the situation of the refugees. "Israel
cannot do this alone, however. It can only help
the Arab states solve the problem."

Basic Problem

"The basic problem in the Mideast," the
soldier-professor concluded, is that of national
sovereignty and self-determination. The
problem is not a religious one. We do not want
to form a Jewish super-state out of Israel".

"The settlement must be one based upon
the recognition by all nations of the national
right of self-determination of all other nations.
And peace must be based upon nationalities,
not upon religions."