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Golda Meir Warns of Nasser Hegemony; Lauds Help by U.s.a. and France

March 5, 1963
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Mrs. Golds Meir, Israel’s Foreign Minister, said here today she was profoundly astonished over the way the world “reconciles itself unprotestingly” to Egyptian President Nasser’s “latest intervention in Yemen.”

Addressing the Parliament on her Ministry’s proposed 40,500,000-pound ($13,500,000) budget for the coming year, Mrs. Meir called the Egyptian action “this brazen violation of the United Nations Charter and principles of international law.” She added that she simply could not comprehend “the thinking of those ‘experts’ who see in Nasser an ‘anchor of steadiness and moderation’ when he is in fact the main instrument of unrest in the Middle East.”

She said Israel wanted peace and would spare no efforts to bring it nearer. But, as long as the Arabs persist in their avowed aim of exterminating Israel and arming themselves for that purpose, she declared, “we shall equally do everything in our power to strengthen our State, within and fortify it against dangers from without.”

She indicated the likelihood of further weapons aid from the democratic countries with the comment that “it would be no surprise if the world draws matter-of-fact conclusions from Nasser’s declarations that he has the means to hit with missiles any spot south of Beirut and it therefore provided the destined victim with the means of defending its life and assets.” She warned Syria not to tax Israel’s patience with attacks on Israeli frontier settlements, and stressed Israel’s continued “firm links” with the United States.

She noted the “pleasant duty” of recording the United States’ “understanding of Israel’s security problems” and continued economic aid from the U. S. A. “on a substantial scale.” Reviewing Israel’s “deepening” ties with West European countries, Mrs. Meir stressed “once more the unique bond between us and France.” Welcoming the free world’s continuing process of “de-colonization,” she stressed the need for a world-wide effort in providing aid to new and developing nations, and described Israel’s efforts in this field. She said that, in 1962, 1,600 non-Israeli’s underwent training in Israel, while 326 Israeli experts were sent abroad.

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