Churchill and Eden Statements on Israel Bring British Recognition Closer

The pro-Israel attitude adopted by Anthony Eden and Winston Churchill, opposition leaders, in the foreign affairs debate in the House of Commons brings recognition of Israel by Britain “appreciably closer,” in the view of official circles and also in the opinion of Israeli observers in London, it was reported today.

Many factors are seen as combining to add special significance to Eden’s demand, seconded by Churchill, for some sort of de facto political representation for Britain at Tel Aviv. Firstly, the keenest Foreign Office observers are anxiously watching the forthcoming elections in Israel. In their view, Britain and the United States must make an important, magnanimous gesture toward Israel, if only to give those elements in Israel which are pro-Anglo-American the necessary electoral appeal against other elements which look to Russia.

Secondly, the Tory stand brings powerful pressure on the Labor Party which in the past always represented itself as the avowed champion of Zionism and which is now sorely divided inwardly on the question. A growing group of laborites condemns Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin’s policy toward Israel as “sulky.”

Thirdly, the fact that Eden, who had previously been regarded as neutral on Zionism, spoke most strongly in Commons in favor of de facto recognition means that the Tory party is now virtually united on this question, which might conceivably mean that on a straight non-party vote in Commons on the subject, Bevin could be defeated.

Fourthly, many Britishers are sorely worried over defense problems and they see Israel as the only militarily powerful unit in the Middle East. They view the Jewish state as the natural ally of Britain and the United States in the effort to maintain strategic control over the vastly important cross-roads where Europe and Asia meet.