Israel’s Foreign Relations Analyzed at Jewish Theological Seminary

Israel’s foreign relations were analyzed here last night by Yaacov Herzog, Minister of the Israel Embassy in Washington, in delivering the Chaim Weizmann Lecture at the Israel Institute of the Jewish Theological Seminary. The lecture is delivered at the seminary each year as a memorial to the late Dr. Chaim Weizmann, Israel’s first President.

“The establishment of the State of Israel opened for the first time in 2,000 years the prospects of achieving a balanced and coherent system of relations with the nations of the worid. The struggle for survival and unending international complications have burdened this mission. Moreover, an amalgam of past relationships, political and spiritual, has had to be clarified and defined from the perspective of independent nationhood.

“Nevertheless, much progress has been made in overcoming the heritage of anomaly, and in convincing the world of the validity and permanence of Israel’s statehood, ” the Israel diplomat stressed. “Inherent independence has at long last found harmonious expression externally. In the pattern of trial, set-back and achievement, Israel’s foreign relations have progressively matured. Israel has come to understand the underlying realities of world politics, and the reflexes of international approach. The international community has increasingly appreciated the permanence and equality of Israel’s statehood.”

Mr. Herzog added that “in reviewing in retrospect international support for the es-tablishment of the State, one cannot escape the impression that it was related more to the concept of a home for homeless people and of a center for its spiritual advancement, than to that of its political independence and international rights. The process of acceptance of the State has involved a progressive balance in perspective.”