The anti-Israel resolution adopted this weekend at the conference of the so-called non-aligned nations in Cairo was seen here today as an Arab propaganda victory but without significant political implications.
At the conference, President Nasser of Egypt, heading the 13-nation Arab bloc, won a strong endorsement for the “full restoration of all rights of the Arab people of Palestine to their homeland” and a declaration of support for their “struggle for liberation from colonialism and racism. ” Nasser failed, however, to get a reaffirmation of the United Nations resolution providing for the compensation of the Palestine refugees or their repatriation;” The Arab states interpret that resolution as giving the refugees the choice of returning or taking compensation.
An Israel Foreign Ministry spokesman pointed out today that at least 11 nations at the conference had resisted the anti-Israel moves. Most of the nations which were willing to condemn Israel, he noted, had done so also at past conferences with the exception of President Makarios of Cyprus who has now changed his position as a result of Nasser’s aid and Israel’s neutrality in the Cyprus dispute.
He noted, on the other hand, that Ceylon and Nigeria were among those resisting the resolution thus indicating a change in their position.
It was felt here that the resolution will not affect Israel’s good relations with many non-aligned nations in Africa and Asia and that it would not cause a change in Israelis expanding relations in Africa and Asia nor in the lineup at the United Nations regarding issues involving Israel.
The fact that the conference was held in Cairo and dominated by Egyptian officials, coupled with the participation this time of 13 Arab states which viewed an anti-Israel resolution as the major aim of the meeting was seen as the determining factor behind the Arab success. The spokesman also stressed that the conference’s secretary-general had announced that the resolutions adopted were not binding on the participants and that some of the delegations expressed reservations.
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