Weizmann Meets with U.N. Assembly President; Israelis Deny Jerusalem Concessions

Israeli circles today categorically denied that any vital concessions on Jerusalem were made in a conversation which took place yesterday between Dr. Chaim Weizmann, President of Israel, and Dr. Herbert V. Evatt, president of the U.N. General Assembly. The meeting was held in Dr. Weizmann’s suite at the Waldorf Astoria.

A number of questions concerning the relationship between the Jewish state and the United Nations, including the admission of Israel to U.N. membership, were discussed, Dr. Evatt revealed. However, Israeli circles here today emphasized that the policy of the Israeli mission at the U.N. is to let the membership bid take its course in the Political Committee, where it will come up for discussion within a few days.

“Meanwhile, the U.N. Palestine Conciliation Commission, in its second progress report to the U.N, Security Council made public yesterday, revealed that Israeli Premier David Ben Gurion had told the three-member Commission that his country would not accept the internationalization of Jerusalem. But, the Commission report stated, Ben Gurion also said that Israel accepted without reservation international control of the Holy Places in the city. The Arabs, the report disclosed, have agreed to an international regime for Jerusalem if the U.N. guaranteed its stability and permanence.

Following his meeting with Dr. Weitzman, Dr. Evatt told the press that “there is a strong feeling among the delegations that the admission of Israel should be effectuated at the present session instead of being put off until September.” He added that “this is bound up with anxiety” expressed by some delegations over previous decisions of the Assembly dealing with Jerusalem and the Holy Places in Palestine.

“Foreign Minister Sharett’s statement seems to indicate that Israel will act in accordance with the principles of the U.N. decision and I confirmed that belief as a result of a meeting I had with the President of Israel,” Dr. Evatt continued. “It has to be remembered that the Security Council has recommended the admission of Israel and such decisions have been so few and far between that they are bound to have a powerful influence in the Assembly, apart from all other considerations. As far as Australia is concerned, my government believes Israel has come to stay and will loyally carry out U.N. decisions and be a powerful force for peace and justice in the U.N.”