The existence of a “petty war” between Israel and the Arab countries, in which people from both sides are being killed, was reported here last night in the Parliament by Premier David Ben Gurion.
“Some may use the pretty word ‘infiltration’ in talking about it, but it is actually a petty war,” he declared. “This petty war does not develop into a real war because we have a well-trained army which replies to force with force.”
Taking issue with members of the Parliament who demanded that Israel be converted into a “fighting nation,” Mr. Ben Gurion said: “This is a fine demand, but we are not yet a nation. We are still a conglomerate of various tribes like England in ancient times, when tribes fought each other and it took them hundreds of years until the tribes amalgamated into one nation. However, we do not have time, and without such a machine which is called the Army, we cannot carry out such amalgamation in the shortest possible time. We only have the framework of an army, and with its discipline, its educational and cultural work we may be able to complete this task, I have one dream – when I’ll leave or be expelled from the government, I should live to become a file soldier in Israel’s Army.”
Concluding his address, Mr. Ben Gurion denied allegations of discrimination against religious Jews in the army. “There can’t be generalizations,” he said. “It is possible somewhere, something happened. But there is nobody in this House who condemns such irregularities more than I, and even such isolated occurrences must be ruthlessly eradicated. But the religious elements must realize that they do not serve this or another regime – they are serving the country. They must also realize that if the Army demands they work on Saturday, they must do so. They have to submit to discipline.”
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.
