The Israel Parliament’s debate on the government’s support of the United Nations Security Council resolution on Korea was opened today by a statement by Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett. The galleries were packed and the atmosphore was tense as the Foreign Minister spoke.
“The world trombles between a doubtful peace and the threat of war,” he declared. “Who began the fighting in Korea put a match to the powder keg.” Millions all over the world are looking to the United Nations to nip the war in the bud, he added.
Israel’s foreign policy, he insisted, remains one of non-identification with any side. He recalled the basic principles of Israel’s foreign policy as laid down by Premier Daivd Ben Gurion on March 8, 1949: “Adherence to the United Nations; preserve poace and friendly relations with all states, especially the United States and Russia.” This principle remains the guiding spirit of Israel’s policy, he stressed, adding: “But this does not mean oscaping from international responsibilities and assistance to the United Nations.”
As soon as the Foreign Minister sat down, he was attacked by Mapam leader Itzhak Bon Aharon, who charged that the govornment has made a “fatal” misstep — “a warmongoring step which will split world Jowry. The govornment has not contributed to world peace and to peace in Korea. The government had a formal, legal basis to avoid such a stop,” he added.
Arich Bon Eliozer, of Horut, presented a motion which would have the Parliament disapprove the government’s stand, but at the some time “condemn North Korea’s aggression.” Both Nathan Friedman-Yollin, of the Fighters Party, another rightwing group, and Moir Wilner, Communist deputy, presented soparate motions of no confidence in the government. Mr. Wilner, said that this was the “greatest blunder committed by the government since its inception, because it is the first stop toward dragging Israel into the Atlantic Pact.”
PRESS APPROVES GOVERNMENT’S ACTION; DISPLAYS LITTLE ENTHUSIASM
The entire Israel press, except the Communist newspaper Kol Hann and Mapam’s Al Hamishmar yesterday wolcomed the government’s decision. Very little enthusiasm was, however, displayed — even by those newspapers which justified the government’s decision. They pointed out that the Israel Government could not have acted differently because of Israel’s membership in the United Nations, and assorted that Israel’s national interests compelled the government to take this decision.
Al Hamishmar reports that the decision by the Israel Cabinet to support the Security Council resolution was taken ” under severe American pressure” and only after U.N. Secretary-General Trygve Lie called the Israel Foreign Office for a third time for a reply.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
