Arab countries were assured by Israel of “complete reciprocation” if they stop their border raids and their economic and diplomatic offensive against the Jewish State. This assurance was given by Israel Ambassador Abba Eban in the course of an address at the inaugural dinner of the United Jewish Appeal of Greater New York at which $2,000,000 were pledged by 600 guests.
“If the Arab governments are not ready for a positive and constructive relationship of peace it is their minimal duty at least to leave us alone,” he said. “Let them stop raiding our frontiers and killing our people. Let them stop interfering with our navigation and commerce. Let them stop uttering threats against our integrity and security. Let them stop obstructing our traffic. Let them stop telling other sovereign countries how they should regulate their relations with Israel. Let them stop refusing the meetings and contacts which our agreements make mandatory upon us.
“If they will do all these things as their minimal international duty they can be assured of complete reciprocation on our part; and our region will have a precious respite from hostility even if a peace settlement is not soon attained,” Mr. Eban stated. Governor Dewey, speaking at the dinner, charged that the Soviet Union is utilizing “every dishonorable device at its command to fish in the troubled waters of the Arab world.”
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.
