The Arab states have launched a defamatory attack on President Johnson’s desalination program which commenced recently in Israel, following an agreement between President Johnson and Prime Minister Levi Eshkol.
Attacking the joint American-Israel survey to advance the use of nuclear energy for desalination, the Arab broadcasts of recent days have mounted an attack on President Johnson for “support of Zionist aggression.”
The Damascus radio service vilified the Johnson plan, stating that “although desalination of sea water was adopted as its object, this is merely used as a cover by the American-Zionist agreement to conceal more far-reaching cooperation and a more dangerous effect on Arab existence.”
The broadcast, following the line of others emanating from Cairo, Amman, and other Arab capitals, said President Johnson was now affirming “organic ties with Zionist imperialism” through the guise of the desalting plan.
Notice has been taken by Washington authorities of editorials like one appearing in Al-Bath, of Damascus, which alleged “to expose” the Johnson plan. It said “the agreement was signed at the same time Israel was plotting over the Jordan River waters. This confirms America’s open support of the Zionists against Arab waters, and its determination to back Zionism in its unceasing aggression against Palestine.”
“Implementation of the agreement,” said the Arab editorial, “involves effective participation by America in developing Israel’s technical ability so as to double its economic and military potential. America’s contribution to the desalination of sea water will strengthen the enemy’s position to absorb new Zionist immigrants in the Negev and other parts of occupied Palestine. The development of Israel’s technical and manpower capability, in addition to formalizing Zionist occupation of Palestine, will encourage the occupation enemy to carry out new expansionist adventures.”
These views followed the same line taken by Arab diplomats in complaints registered with American embassies in Arab states. The White House, however, has issued orders for full speed on the desalination plan, visualizing it as an undertaking which will ultimately benefit not only Israel but other lands as well. President Johnson has asked that he be kept informed on the survey’s progress.
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.
