The Israeli delegation at the United Nations has been given instructions regarding the vote on China, it was learned following yesterday’s Cabinet meeting. But it was unclear how Israel intends to vote on the expulsion of Taiwan. The instructions were said to be “flexible” because the situation at the UN is still unclear. Informed sources here said the Israeli delegation was instructed to oppose Taiwan’s expulsion to the extent of voting against the Albanian proposal that the matter should be decided by a simple majority in the General Assembly.
Israel is expected to vote with the United States to decide whether a two-thirds majority is necessary to seat Peking. If that vote falls, the seating of the Peoples Republic of China will be decided by a simple majority. Reliable sources said Israel was likely to vote for Peking on the second ballot although that many mean the expulsion of Taiwan.
The US is known to have been urging Israel to support its two-Chinas policy–a Security Council seat for Peking and retention of the Nationalist Chinese (Taiwan) seat in the General Assembly. One American argument that seems to be taken seriously by Israeli diplomats is that the expulsion of Taiwan by a vote of the General Assembly could set a precedent for the ouster of other member states that have powerful enemies in the world body–possibly Israel itself. On the other hand, some observers point out that a two-Chinas policy could set a precedent for a two-Palestine policy under which Palestinian Arabs could demand a seat in the General Assembly on the basis of their claim that Israel is a usurper.
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.
