Direct negotiations between the Arab states and Israel were urged today in a report to the House Foreign Affairs Committee by a special fact-finding mission that visited Israel after the recent war. The mission was comprised of two committee members, Rep. William S. Broomfield, Michigan Republican, and Rep. Leonard Farbstein, New York Democrat.
“Only face-to-face negotiations can settle the problems of recognition, refugee resettlement, navigation rights, the arms race, and permanent boundaries.” the report stated. The mission made the following recommendations:
“1) To secure a Near East peace settlement which will confirm Israel’s right to live and prosper as an independent nation should be the subject of direct negotiations between the Arabs and Israelis.
“2) The United States should join with other nations in recognizing a reunified Jerusalem with supervision of the holy places within the city by the various religious orders, so that freedom of religious worship in these places will be assured to peoples of all faiths.
“3) Part of any peace settlement should be an international guarantee of innocent passage through international waterways, including the Strait of Tiran and the Suez Canal, as an inalienable right of all nations.
“4) The United States should be prepared to assist in a just and permanent rehabilitation and settlement of Palestinian Arab refugees. This is essential, and we believe the Israelis, the Arab states, and the rest of the world should share effectively in this endeavor, so long overdue.
“5) Our Government should strive with other nations for agreed limitations on international arms shipments to the Near East. We should assist in the development of the national economies and the improvement of their standard of living.
“6) Our Government’s diplomacy in the Near East must be alert, firm, and resourceful to prevent domination of the area by any hostile power.”
The report noted that Russia was resupplying the Arabs with arms. It said that “since France imposed an embargo on shipment of arms to Israel, the Israelis are more dependent on the United States and have requested that delivery of equipment that was on order from before the war be expedited.”
The mission stated it returned from Israel “with the overwhelming impression that the Government of Israel was making a determined effort to translate the aftermath of its astounding military victory into a durable peace.” The report said that “ever since the termination of hostilities, the Government of Israel has striven to restore normal social and economic conditions in the occupied territories.”
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