The European Economic Community today declared its opposition to Israel’s exclusion from the United Nations. The Council of Ministers of the nine member states in a communique stressed its intention to defend the UN charter and the rights of member states.
The communique, which was reportedly released in reply to the decision by the Islamic conference in Saudi Arabia to press for Israel’s exclusion at the next General Assembly, does not mention Israel by name, but makes its meaning perfectly clear.
EEC officials in Brussels explained that though Council decisions are not mandatory on the nine member states, the nine normally follow the decisions. The official stressed that this seems certain in the case of Israel’s expulsion as the Council reached its decision unanimously and without any prior discussions.
Diplomatic circles, nonetheless, warned that Israel’s situation, should the Arabs decide to go ahead with the decision of the Islamic conference, and press for Israel’s expulsion, will be difficult. They also pointed to the fact that two of Israel’s former friends, Iran and Turkey, have voted at the conference in favor of Israel’s expulsion.
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