The relations between Israel and the United States were reviewed here today at a press conference by Abba S. Eban, Israel’s Ambassador to Washington, who is now on a short visit in the Jewish State prior to his departure for Paris to head the Israeli delegation at the United Nations General Assembly.
Ambassador Eban said that the Governments of the United States and Israel each has a different approach to the Middle East problems, but that there is understanding in Washington for Israel’s views and difficulties. The Israel mission in the United States, he stated, has lengthily discussed with American authorities problems connected with the fate of the Middle East. He pointed out that the latest developments in the Middle East have proved to America that American aid to Israel is not a source of tension and resentment against the United States in Arab countries.
Touching upon the question of Israel’s claims against Germany, Mr. Eban reported that discussions proved that the Western Powers are not prepared to present Israel’s claims for reparations to Germany, although they sympathize with them. Consequently, Mr. Eban added, Israel must decide whether to give up the looted Jewish property to the “killers,” or to start direct negotiations.
The Israel Ambassador expressed gratitude to American Jewry with whom, he said, it is important to keep ties. Asked about the American Zionists, Ambassador Eban said the whole of American Jewry now associates itself with the Zionist aims, the absorption of mass immigration in Israel and the economic stabilization of the Jewish state.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
