As the blue flag of the United Nations flew at half-mast over UN Headquarters in No-Man’s Land between Israel and Jordan today, in mourning over the death of Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold, many Israeli officials and leaders, with Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion in the forefront, expressed their shock over the untimely death of the United Nations chief. They expressed concern coupled with anxiety over the impact his death might have on the future effectiveness of the United Nations.
Voicing his deepest condolence, Premier Ben-Gurion praised the late Mr. Hammarskjold as an international public servant who had “aspired to increased peace in our region.” “If he did not always succeed,” said Mr. Ben-Gurion, “it was not for lack of good will on his part.” Pointing out that Mr. Hammarskjold lost his life “on a mission of peace,” Mr. Ben-Gurion said Mr. Hammarskjold’s death “is a grievous loss to the United Nations, particularly at this time of heightened world tension.”
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