Israel has condemned the UN vote on Zionism as “an ugly manifestation of neo-anti-Semitism.” A Foreign Ministry statement said the vote was more proof of the “moral decline” of the world organization “when the State of Israel is concerned.” The resolution, equating Zionism with forms of racism, adopted Friday in the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee), by a vote of 70 in favor, 29 opposed, 27 abstentions and 16 absents, was itself “a classic expression of racism,” the Foreign Ministry statement said.
The statement expressed Israel’s appreciation for those states that had opposed the Arab inspired resolution. Privately, political circles here expressed a measure of satisfaction at what was in effect the first evidence of a fissure in the Arab-African lineup since the Yom Kippur War.
With two major African states opposing the resolution and several others abstaining, the Arab could be said to have suffered a tactical defeat in the Third World bloc, the circles said. On the other hand, there was concern that some leading Latin American states had voted for the resolution.
Much chagrin was directed in particular towards Mexico, whose President Luis Echeverria professed friendship and an understanding of the Zionist ideal during his recent official visit here. It was noted resignedly that Echeverria has his eye on the UN Secretary-Generalship and his country’s vote could therefore be seen as part of his nascent campaign.
KNESSET TO HOLD DEBATE ON RESOLUTION
The Knesset will soon devote a special debate on the anti-Zionist resolution. The Knesset will convene for that debate at the Cabinet’s request, following a report by Foreign Minister Yigal Allon in the Cabinet’s weekly session today. Allon said the Arab efforts to compare Zionism to colonialism and racial discrimination was a substitute for the attempt to suspend Israel from the UN which failed.
Although Allon expressed his regret that the anti-Zionist resolution was backed by a majority of the UN committee members, he nevertheless was satisfied with the unusual support Israel enjoyed at that committee from, “countries of all continents of different ideologies and different regimes, including countries of the so-called “Third World.”
Turning to relations with the U.S., Allon expressed his confidence that America would honor all its commitments toward Israel, including those regarding armament and economic aid. Reviewing the situation in the Mideast, Allon quoted “various political elements” which though there was a decline in the status of the Palestine Liberation Organization in the Arab world.
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