Israel Premier David Ben-Gurion today stressed Israel’s desire for peace in a brief address to about 200 Journalists assembled at the United Nations headquarters. He spoke following a two-hour private conference with United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold which was preceded by a luncheon given by Mr.Hammarskjold to Mr. and Mrs. Ben-Gurion at his private residence.
The journalists, representing major newspapers and news agencies from all over the world, assembled in the chamber of the Trusteeship Council together with 300 guests, most of whom were representatives of non-governmental organizations accredited to the United Nations, The Israel Prime Minister who was led into the chamber by Mr. Hammarskjold told the correspondents:
“The only thing that I can say is that this institution and this assembly should accomplish one word that we use in Hebrew in Israel every day–shalom–peace. This could be accomplished if you people would assist us. There is a brotherhood of nations throughout the world–European and American.Asian and African, black and white. The press and other means of public opinion have great weight in this respect and can help.
“We represent a small nation although an ancient one. We were brought up in the tradition of our prophets that the time will come that the nations will learn war no more. If the prophecy of Isaiah is accomplished, then we do not mind who takes the credit for the achievement. This would be the great contribution to humanity and is the great task for our generation.
“As far as we are concerned, we will help you. Although you may call this visionary, it may still come true in our time–the time when all people will be free and independent. We are taught in our Bible that all are made in the image of God and that there is no difference between races and nations. The task of peace should be a task not in name only but in fact–we want a really United Nations. The Secretary General will join me in the wish that this house may become a really United Nations.I say shalom–which means peace.”
Mr. Ben-Gurion arrived in the United Nations building shortly after 4 p. m, ,accompanied by Yosef Tekoah, Israel’s Permanent Representative at the UN, and Col. Haim Ben-David, his military aide. He was joined later by his wife, Paula. After his two-hour conference with Mr, Hammarskjold–at which no other person was present–the UN Secretary General took the visitors for a brief tour of the United Nations headquarters which culminated in Mr. Ben-Gurion’s meeting with the press representatives.
Later, Mr.and Mrs. Ben-Gurion were the guests of Mr, Hammarskjold at an official reception at the United Nations to which representatives from various countries were invited. They included representatives of the United States, Britain, France, the Soviet Union, Italy, Poland, China, Argentina, Canada, Czechoslovakia, The Netherlands, Belgium, the Scandinavian countries, India, Yugoslavia and other lands.
At the luncheon given by Mr, Hammarskjold earlier at his private residence the guests included, in addition to Mr. and Mrs. Ben-Gurion, Mr, and Mrs. Tekoah; Dr. and Mrs. Nahum Goldman; Mr. and Mrs.Jacob Blaustein; Andrew W. Cordier, executive assistant to the Secretary General, with Mrs. Cordier; and Dr, Ralph J, Bunche, Undersecretary for Special Political Affairs, with Mrs. Bunche.
During Mr. Ben-Gurion’s visit to the UN headquarters, a picket line was formed across the avenue facing the United Nations building. There were about 20 pickets carrying the usual Arab anti-Israel signs. The pickets were orderly, being guarded by almost an equal number of New York City policemen.
(The Times of London said today that Premier David Ben-Gurion of Israel had been given “some grounds” to hope that President Eisenhower will hint to Britain and France that they might increase their arms deliveries to Israel. The British newspaper said Mr. Ben-Gurion had made his Journey more to put over a general point of view than to make specific requests and added that he had apparently been encouraged by the outcome. The Times reported that there was no suggestion that the United States itself should supply arms to Israel. )
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