Republican and Democratic members of Congress, on the floor of the House, called upon the U.S. Government today to permit Israel to acquire arms in this country. Of the more than 20 speakers, only two expressed views unfavorable to Israel. Many of the Congressmen who did not have an opportunity to express their views on the floor during the three-hour debate announced they would have such views published in the Congressional Record.
The two who took a stand against Israel are Rep, Robert C. Byrd, of West Virginia, and Rep. Arthur Winstead, of Mississippi, both Democrats. The former alleged that American arms sale to Israel were not the interest of the United States, and the latter urged that Israel “go back” to the 1947 United Nations partition borders.
In a powerful reply, House Majority Leader John W. McCormack, Massachusetts Democrat, told the two dissenting Democrats hat American national interests were more identified with Israel than with Egypt. He pointed out that Egypt had identified its “national interest” with the Kremlin and that it was Egypt and Russia, not Israel, that brought about the present arms imbalance. He described Israel as a “real democracy” which had taken action consistent with peace. He said that an imbalance in arms already existed and called for arms sales to Israel to redress the balance.
The McCormack address highlighted demands for arms sales to Israel, but Rep Edna F. Kelly, a New York Democrat and member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, took leadership of the session. Mrs. Kelly made the opening speech and throughout the session answered questions and offered information favorable to Israel’s cause. She drew commendation from virtually all other participants in the day’s discussion.
Mrs. Kelly made it plain that Israel should not be called upon to sacrifice territory. Referring to Rep. Winstead’s demand that Israel retreat to the 1947 partition lines, Mrs. Kelly said the boundary question, and other questions, could be settled at the peace table but that the Arabs refuse to talk peace.
Rep. Hugh Scott; Pennsylvania Republican, reported on a meeting of a number of Republican Congressmen with Secretary of State Dulles earlier this week. He defended Mr. Dulles’ position but nevertheless said he (Scott) still favored arms for Israel.
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