When Yitzhak Rabin became prime minister, Gazit continued as Director-General of the Prime Minister’s Office. His role is explicitly recorded in the list of participants at the Rabin–Ford meeting on 10 September 1974. The discussion concerned disengagement agreements and Israel’s security needs.
In June 1975, he again took part in talks with Ford and Kissinger. This time, the participants considered options for an interim agreement and the limits of diplomatic flexibility. His presence in both records documents the continuity of his work at the senior professional level.
The original memorandum of the 11 June 1975 meeting, held at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, records two hours of conversation in the Oval Office. Beside Rabin sat Ambassador Simcha Dinitz, Gazit and Mordechai Shalev of the embassy; across from them were President Ford, Kissinger, Joseph Sisco and Brent Scowcroft. Ford opened by stating plainly his disappointment over the stalemate in March, and Rabin set out Israel’s case for an interim agreement with Egypt.
When Kissinger asked how many settlements on the Golan Heights would be affected by a withdrawal of even three kilometres, the memorandum records Gazit’s answer: “At least half. About six or seven.” It is an example of his role in the room — supplying the precise figure at the moment a question turned from principle to practice.
The White House’s ceremonial papers preserved his presence, too. For the state dinner in Rabin’s honour in September 1974, each guest had a place card and a pronunciation guide; his read gah-ZEET. The Naval Photographic Center’s film catalogue lists Gazit among those present on reels from 12 June 1975, which recorded Rabin’s arrival at the White House and the toasts.
The White House photo logs also list him by name. On 12 September 1974 he is among those photographed in the Cabinet Room, and in colour photographs of the meeting by the fireplace in the Oval Office. On 12 June 1975 he is listed again, at the Oval Office meeting and at the farewell on the walkway to the delegation’s cars. According to the Ford Library, White House photographers’ pictures are in the public domain, and scans can be ordered by roll and frame number.[D4][D5][FD1][FD4][FD5][FD8][FD9]
Secretary Kissinger: Even three kilometers? How many settlements would you have to move?
Minister Gazit: At least half. About six or seven.
The memorandum labels the speaker “Minister Gazit”, although Gazit was then Director-General of the Prime Minister’s Office. Open the scanned document ↗