Israeli diplomats said today that they are taking “very seriously” the decision reached last Friday by members of the Arab League here to seek Israel’s suspension from the deliberations of the General Assembly. The Israeli diplomats stressed that the Arabs are not presently trying to expel Israel from the UN, a move that can be taken only by the Security Council, but are trying to deny Israel its credentials for the current Assembly session.
The credentials of Israel and other nations will be presented for approval by the General Assembly October 18. The Assembly can deny credentials by a simple majority.
The Arabs at the UN have already begun lobbying for the suspension of Israel, especially among Third World nations which usually support Arab anti-Israel moves. But many Third World nations have joined West European countries here in opposing such a move, asserting that the suspension of Israel could damage the UN because of American retaliation.
The U.S. has warned that it would not participate in the Assembly if Israel is suspended. Sources said today that American diplomats are holding meetings with UN delegates to convince them not to join the Arabs in their suspension effort and to make it clear that the U.S. will react strongly if Israel’s credentials are denied.
The Arabs succeeded last month in denying Israel’s credentials to the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna. The Arabs, however, failed to obtain the two-third majority needed to expel a member-state.
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