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A. I don't think the establishment of some centers of population in the areas of Samaria and Judea has to do with the climate of relations between us. After all, in the Camp David accords we obliged ourselves to negotiate about the political future of these territories. We have never promised not to live there, not to settle there. In this part of the world, in this country, Jews and Arabs will live together forever, and the question is: What will be the political expression of this reality?
Q. Is there not a point, however, where possession of the best land becomes a political reality and affects the politics of the region?
A. It's not the best land. As a matter of fact, where we are establishing our centers of population is on rocky lands, on lands on which nobody lives now and nobody lived for centuries. We are not taking any land from anybody. Nothing.
Q. King Hussein said that he was, by his remarks, taking his case to the American people. Are you concerned that he can make any progress with that approach?
A. The U.S. is an open country, and we are taking our case to Americans every day.
Q. Several issues concerning Israel seem to be becoming part of the American scene. Are you entirely comfortable with that?
A. It's part of the reality. We know there is great interest in the U.S. in this part of the world. The U.S. sometimes has to decide about problems related to foreign countries. It's normal for a world power. Any Israeli is interested in and is identified with good relations with the U.S., not only because of our interest in having such relations, but because we feel we are close to the U.S. mentality, philosophy and human approach.
Q. Could you comment on the proposal to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem?
A. I think 100% of Israel is for having the Israeli capital in Jerusalem. Putting the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem is an expression of the recognition of this. Our capital, since 1949, has been Jerusalem. Our government is here, our parliament is here, and the embassies are in Tel Aviv. I can't understand it. If there are some differences about the eastern part of Jerusalem, then why not establish the embassy in the western part?
Q. What do you think will happen in the Iran-Iraq war?
A. It's a crazy war. It will come to an end when the two parties reach such a degree of exhaustion that they will stop it.
Q. It has been alleged that Israel has shipped arms to Iran. Is that continuing at all?
A. I don't know about such shipments.