The United States, United Kingdom, France and Turkey today introduced a resolution in the U.N. Special Political Committee calling for the raising of a U.N. fund to finance “reintegration” of Palestine refugees up to June 30, 1952. The committee left the question open pending a report from the U.N. Budgetary Committee on how to raise funds called for in the resolution.
The four-nation resolution declares that reintegration of the refugees either by repratriation of resettlement “is essential” and calls for a fund of $30,000,000 for the next fiscal year for reintegration and a sum of $20,000,000 to carry on relief during that same period. The only Arab delegate to speak–Jamali of Iraq–fervently opposed the resolution because he said it did not insist on repatriation.
“Reintegration” is a new concept that has appeared in the Palestine refugee problem to encompass either or both repatriation to Israel and resettlement in the Arab countries. In introducing the resolution, John C. Ross of the United States told the Committee his government was ready to request an undetermined amount of money from Congress for reintegration and relief of the Arab refugees. He insisted that the raising of the funds must be a joint effort among all nations.
ISRAEL’S VIEWS ON PALESTINE REFUGEES OUTLINED BY AMBASSADOR EBAN
Israel’s Ambassador Abba Eban, addressing today’s session of the Special Political Committee, emphasized that the Government of Israel has repeatedly stated and now reaffirms its willingness to pay fair compensation for abandoned Arab lands. It considers it vital that any funds acorning from such compensation be credited to the refugee integration fund.
“In agreeing to immediate discussions with international agencies on the problems of compensation and on the establishment of a reintegration fund, Israel will regard itself as taking part in the first and most urgent installment of discussions leading to final peace,” Mr. Eban said. “It must be borne in mind that Israel reserves its own financial claims under a final settlement with reference to the loss and damage which it has suffered as a result of war and invasion,” he pointed out. He then summarized the views of the Israel Government on a solution of the Arab refugee problem as follows:
1. The most important step that can be taken towards the final solution of this problem would be for the General Assembly to act on the recommendation contained in the U.N. Conciliation Commission report suggesting that the parties be urged to engage without delay in direct discussions, within the framework of which the refugee problem should be given priority of consideration.
2. Israel supports the recommendations of the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for the continuance of the relief programs and of the works projects for Palestine refugees as an indispensable interim measure until final integration is achieved. It also offers its cooperation to the Committee of Experts of the Conciliation Commission’s Reports.
3. Israel supports the recommendation contained in the UNEWA Report urging the creation of a reintegration fund to be applied to the permanent settlement of refugees and their integration into normal and productive life. It accepts the principle that any funds which Israel may agree to defray for compensation be credited to the integration fund instead of being dissipated in individual payments.
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.
