Dulles’ Visit to Israel Stirs Hope of Arab-israel Peace Talks

The imminent arrival of Sec. of State John Foster Dulles here this week has stirred up hope among the Israeli people that the United States Government will use its influence with the Arab countries, especially Egypt, to the greatest possible extent to bring about Arab-Israel peace talks.

Preparations are being made here for talks between President Itzhak Ben Zvi, Premier David Ben Gurion and Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett and Secretary Dulles, who is accompanied by Mutual Security Director Harold Stassen and Assistant Secretary of State Henry A. Byroade. Mr. Sharett, who is now on a visit to Latin American countries, is expected to return here tomorrow.

The fact that Secretary Dulles decided to visit Israel immediately after visiting Egypt and prior to his visit to other Arab countries is taken as an indication that the U.S. Government lays great stress on the need for an Egyptian-Israeli peace prior to the establishment of the projected Middle East defense organization. It is assumed that he will bring to Israel conditions advanced by Egypt as bases for peace talks and will expect Israel’s reaction to these conditions.

(In a special interview with the New York Herald Tribune correspondent. Premier David Ben Gurion said yesterday that Israel is willing to set at rest permanently Arab fears of a possible Israeli expansion, whenever the Arab states are willing to talk peace. “Israel is willing to guarantee for 100 years its existing frontiers with the Arab bloc,” Mr. Ben Gurion stated. He emphasized that Israel “is not seeking any military adventures” and wants peace in order to build up the country and settle more immigrants.)