Israel Ambassador Abba Eban, addressing a United Jewish Appeal dinner here, said that the political struggle which Israel faced during the last four months at the United Nations, has ended with “an honorable balance sheet” for Israel.
“The balance sheet,” he stated, “does not contain all that we would have liked, but it is, nonetheless, impressive.” He cited the following achievements and possibilities:
“1. The Sinai Desert is no longer an aggressive base on Israel’s frontier, but is under international surveillance.
“2. A new opportunity is at hand to open the Suez Canal under principles of universality and equality, instead of the illegality and discrimination of previous years. We do not know for certain if this opportunity will be seized. President Eisenhower, who has unexampled access to information, has stated that he does not assume that there will be discrimination against Israel here.
“3. The maritime powers, with America in the lead, have solemnly proclaimed the Gulf of Akaba as an international waterway, and have announced their intention to treat it as such. Israel’s rights in this matter, including the right of self-defense, are recognized without challenge. The UNEF is on guard to prevent belligerency, and will not be prematurely withdrawn.
“4. There is some anxiety about Gaza. The United Nations has, however, accepted responsibility and jurisdiction. Let us hope that it will stand firm and that the assumptions of Israel and others prove not to be in vain.
“5. The responsibility of great governments, especially of the United States, has been formally and solemnly engaged as never before in the preservation of Israel’s security and the avoidance of a return to the previous instability.
“6. Never has Israel stood higher in the trust and affection of world opinion. The international and diplomatic struggle has focussed world opinion upon us with unexampled brightness. In the United States and other free countries, there is now a universal understanding of Israel’s righteous cause.
“The political struggle, like the military campaign on which it was founded, has crowded us with honor,” Ambassador Eban emphasized.
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