An attack on Israel–without, however, mentioning the name of the Jewish State–was made today by Dr. Mahmoud Fawzi, Egypt’s Foreign Minister, addressing the United Nations General Assembly, during the general debate. Israel is scheduled to participate in the Assembly’s debate a week from tomorrow.
Coupling the position of “the Arab nation” with general problems of human rights and self-determination of peoples, Dr. Fawzi referred to “the motley hordes of invaders who came from many parts and formed the spearhead of world political Zionism… defying both decency and law and even until yesterday occupying more lands and more positions to which they have no title whatsoever in their usual pattern of complete contempt and disdain for everything and everybody, United Nations and all.”
Dr. Fawzi asserted that Egypt has not now nor has ever had “any aggressive intentions against anyone.” However, he emphasized, “we have not the slightest intention either to submit to aggression by anyone.” Then he made an implied threat by declaring that “the Arabs of Palestine shall not for much longer submit” either to living in their old homes in Israel where they are victims of “discrimination and genocide” or to living in “suffering or humiliation” in refugee centers.
When Dr. Fawzi concluded his speech, he was rebuked for it by Assembly president Dr. Jose Maza of Chile, who said that certain sentences and remarks by the Egyptian Foreign Minister “were not admissible.” An Israel spokesman said that Dr. Fawzi’s speech consisted of “vulgar invective unworthy of being heard in the United Nations” and expressed confidence that the speech would be treated “with disdain.”
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