Separate Palestinian state is opposed by Carter

February 26, 1980

President Carter said Monday he was opposed to an independent Palestinian state and would not recognize or negotiate with the Palestinian Liberation Organization unless it conceded Israel's right to exist. An independent Palestinian state would be a destabilizing factor in the Middle East and many Arab leaders shared this view, he said.

Addressing the United Jewish Appeal Young Leadership conference, Mr. Carter also called for an end to acts of violence against Israel and said the United States remained committed to providing military and financial aid to Israel to help it preserve its security and its ability to defend itself.