David Ben-Gurion, Israel Prime Minister, arrived here today for a State visit, after a five-day visit to France, where he conferred twice with President Charles de Gaulle.
Greeted ceremoniously at the airport by Prime Minister Gaston Eyskens, Minister for Foreign Commerce Jacques van Offelen, and Viscount Meeus d’Argentuil, who represented Queen Mother Elizabeth, Mr. Ben-Gurion reviewed a guard of honor, then read a statement emphasizing the friendship between Belgium and Israel.
Speaking in French, Mr. Ben-Gurion said: “All free nations, large or small, are committed to solidarity in the defense of peace and fundamental liberties. After the talks I had recently in the United States and Britain, and these last few days in Paris, it is to me a particular pleasure to meet the Belgian leaders for an exchange of views on problems that confront all of us. It is a pleasure to be on the friendly soil of Belgium.”
In his reply, Mr. Eyskens declared: “It is an honor and a pleasure for the Belgian Government to receive Mr. Ben-Gurion. “
Mr. Ben-Gurion was accompanied here, as he was in France, by his wife, Mrs. Paula Ben-Gurion and his daughter, Mrs. Ranana Leshem. A sizable crowd cheered them as they deplaned at the airport here.
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