Basic Principles of the Government, 10 March 1974.

Chapter 'A'- Central Objectives

The principal target of the Government of Israel during the coming four years is to work for the attainment of permanent peace with each of the neighbouring states. The efforts of the Government shall be directed towards the utilization of all the possibilities and prospects involved in the peace conference which opened in Geneva.

The Government shall persevere in the strengthening of all branches of the Israel Defence Forces, insofar as is required to ensure its strength and capacity to defend the State and overcome its aggressors. The necessary lessons shall be drawn from the experience of the Yom Kippur War, ensuring their application in the deployment of the IDF and in the Defence establishment in general. Within the IDF, the forging of internal solidarity shall continue, it shall remain above all party considerations, and its qualities as an army of the people shall continue to be fostered.

1. Decisions of the Government and the Knesset

The principal tasks of the Government and its actions on questions of foreign policy and defence shall be based fundamentally on Chapters 'A' and 'E' of the Basic Principles of the outgoing Government (approved by the Knesset on 15 December 1969) see Section XII, Document 20) and on the decisions on principle adopted by the Government and the Seventh and Eighth Knessets, including:

The Government's decisions, approved by the Knesset on 4 August 1970, concerning the cease-fire; the Government's decision of 22 October 1973 to accede to the Security Council resolution on the cease-fire; the Government's decision of 11 November 1973 on the Six-Point Agreement with Egypt; the Government's decision of 17 December 1973 agreeing to participate in the Geneva Conference; the Government's decision of 22 January 1974 to sign the agreement on disengagement and separation of forces on the Egyptian front.

2. Jerusalem

The Government shall take steps for the continued building and development of Jerusalem, Eternal Capital of Israel. The pace of populating the city shall be increased, infrastructure investments shall be assured, and industrial development shall be continued. In the building and development of the Capital, Jerusalem's special character, its historic sites and its scenic grandeur shall be preserved. Rehabilitation of the Old City's Jewish Quarter shall be completed. The holy places of all faiths shall be preserved.

In the Capital of Israel, the rights of all residents shall be observed, without distinction of religion or nationality, and the religious status of the holy places of Islam and Christianity shall be safeguarded in the peace settlements.

3. Settlement on the Land

Steps shall be taken for the continuation of settlement on the land in accordance with resolutions to be adopted by the Government of Israel.

4. Agreements on the Road to Peace

The Government of Israel shall strictly maintain and observe the cease-fire agreements on a basis of reciprocity.

Pending peace settlements, the Government shall continue to be ready to make agreed arrangements with the Arab States: these agreements shall aim at consolidating the cease-fire, preventing the resumption of hostilities, and promoting negotiations with a view to permanent peace.

The Government shall continue to pursue a policy aimed at ensuring security and maintenance of law and order while showing due respect and understanding for the population. The open-bridges policy shall be continued; independent activity on the part of the population shall be encouraged in the domains of administration, education, culture and religion and in fostering democratic patterns in public and municipal life.

The Government shall endeavour, to the best of its ability, to assure full employment and to maintain the education, health and welfare services. Efforts shall be made to raise funds from international sources in order to improve living and housing conditions among the refugees living within the jurisdiction of the Military Government, without prejudice to their legal and civil status.

6. Countering Terrorist Activity

The Government shall endeavour to safeguard the citizens, residents and representatives of Israel, and to protect them against terrorist activity by the terrorist organizations. It shall maintain Israel's right to act against the terrorist organizations, their bases and their collaborators, with a view to preventing and frustrating terrorist activities. The Government of Israel shall continue to hold any State which identifies itself with the terrorist organizations and affords them bases of operation, fighting equipment and political support responsible for their dastardly deeds.

7. Activity in the International Arena

In the international arena, the Government shall act to strengthen Israel's standing among the nations of the world. It shall strive to strengthen the friendly relations between Israel and the people and Government of the United States, and shall take action to rehabilitate and re-establish relations with States which have severed their links with Israel.