Britain Says It Will Not Change Israel Policy to Please Arabs

Richard Crossman, Minister of Housing, announced here last night on behalf of the British Government that, if any threat to the peace arises in the Middle East, Britain would consult with the United Nations. “Meanwhile,” he said, “we do acknowledge the principle that all countries in the region have the right to arms to defend themselves.”

Emphaiszing that he was speaking as a Government representative, Mr. Crossman also said, at a dinner in honor of retiring Israeli Ambassador Arthur Lourie, that Britain’s desire “to be friendly with the Arabs will not be allowed to affect our relations with Israel.” The dinner was given by the Zionist Federation of Britain and Ireland, and was addressed also by Selwyn Lloyd, former Conservative Foreign Secretary and now a member of the opposition Shadow Cabinet.

“We are not going to change our policy by sacrificing our friendly relations with the Jewish State to try to gain the friendship of Nasser and the United Arab Republic.” Mr. Crossman added. He said that it was “indeed great progress” that such a statement could be made on behalf of the British Government.

Mr. Lloyd told the dinner guests that he and his friends knew “very well” that Israel was threatened publicly by Arab leaders with extermination. He added that British Conservative leaders also knew of Israel’s contribution to the community of nations.

In his response, Mr. Lourie said that a turning point in Israel-British relations had occurred while Mr. Lloyd was in office, and that the understanding between the two countries had since grown and deepened. That spirit, he said, had manifested itself in many ways, some practical, others less palpable but no less important. He hailed the existence in Britain of a bipartisan policy regarding Israel, which he said was shown in the appearance at the dinner of both Crossman and Lloyd. He said he was happy to affirm that the recent change in the British Government from Conservative to Labor simply emphasized that “friendship for Israel is not a party matter.”