Israel Can’t Lead Struggle Over Apartheid, Shamir Says

Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir told a banquet audience in Los Angeles Saturday night that Israel cannot lead the struggle against apartheid in South Africa.

Speaking to 200 people gathered at a Jewish Federation-Council dinner at Century Plaza, Shamir said that although his country is strongly opposed to the apartheid regime he does not believe that breaking relations with South Africa would serve to end the system.

Earlier this month, responding to a threatened cutoff of U.S. military aid, Isarael quietly agreed to phase out existing agreements on arms sales and transfer of military technology to South Africa.

‘We’re Still Alive’

“There was a time when there was an embargo on arms by the U.S. against Israel,” Shamir said. “We’re still alive. Thanks to sanctions we built a strong, independent arms industry.”

His comments on South Africa came in response to a question from the audience.

In his prepared text, Shamir characterized his meetings with President Reagan and other Administration officials and members of Congress in Washington as “very warm and friendly.” However, he said he disagreed strongly with the Administration over the continued supply of arms to Arab states.

Shamir was also asked about statements he made Friday on the immigration of Soviet Jews to the United States instead of Israel.

“We cannot force them to go to Israel,” he said. “However, they are obliged not to deceive Russian authorities” when they leave the U.S.S.R.”