Those concerned with the maintenance of Israel-Arab stability are observing the expected assignment by President Eiaen hower of two career diplomats, who are widely regarded as anti-Zionists, to sensitive Middle Eastern posts. The two are Loy Henderson, present Ambassador to Iran who may be sent to Egypt and George Wadsworth, Ambassador to Czechoslovakia and former Ambassador to Turkey, who appears slated to be envoy to Pakistan.
Mr. Henderson, as Director of the Office of Near Eastern Affairs between 1945 and 1948 was considered the leader of the State Department faction which thought American policy on Palestine should coincide with British and Arab views at the expense of Zionist aspirations. He was regarded as the individual chiefly responsible for America’s reversal on the United Nation’s plan for the partition of Palestine.
The diaries of the late James Forrestal, former Secretary of Defense, reveal the pro-Arab role played by Mr. Henderson. Should his appointment to Egypt be confirmed, there is concern lest his presence there lend Itself to the building up of anti-Israel.
The naming of Mr. Henderson as Ambassador to Egypt is seen by some as an attempt by the new administration to notify the Arab world that the “pro-Israel” policy of the Truman era has been re-examined. Egypt in recent months has become the center of Western efforts to form a Middle Eastern Command against Communism. There has been talk of a possible visit to Washington by Egyptian Premier Gen. Naguib. Despite Israel’s concern over the maintenance of peace in the Middle East, there have been negotiations between Egypt and the United States in connection with the shipment of heavy munitions.
Mr. Wadsworth is not known as well as Mr. Henderson, but Israelis recall his previous service in the Middle East. His assignment to Pakistan is thought Important because of the possibility that this Moslem country will be associated with the Arab League states in the projected Middle East Command.
The administration in Washington makes decisions on foreign policy based on reports from ambassadors in the field. Therefore, it is thought that intelligent decisions, particularly on the sensitive Middle Eastern area, require objective ambassadorial reporting. The belief exists that the findings of Mr. Henderson and Mr. Wadsworth would favor the Arab’s in any instance involving Israel.
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