Good Prospects for Israel Seen in U. N. ; War Not Considered Likely

The prediction that no Arab-Israel war is likely in the near future and that Israel’s prospects for friendly consideration by the democratic world will be better in 1956 than ever before was made here today by a number of diplomatic observers, despite the fact that Syria demands Israel’s expulsion from UN membership.

Israel will probably draw Security Council censure for her reprisal attack on Syria’s outposts on Lake Tiberias, but no doubt exists in United Nations circles that Syria’s call for expulsion and for economic sanctions against Israel will not find the echo in the Council which the Arab bloc anticipates. Especially is this so, since the composition of the Council changes on January 1, with Yugoslavia taking Turkey’s place, Cuba replacing Brazil, and Australia taking over New Zealand’s place.

At present, Marshall Tito of Yugoslavia is off to try to induce Egyptian leaders in Cairo to talk peace with Israel. It is therefore assumed that Tito’s representative on the Security Council is not likely to take a “tough” line against Israel here. Cuba, another of the new Council members is a member of the Latin American bloc which is often sympathetic to Israel. Australia’s stand on Israel is likely to resemble New Zealand’s a moderate viewpoint that does not overlook Israel’s cause as against the Arab states.

The Syrian wish for Israel’s expulsion thus remains an empty proposal unless a member of the Council sponsors a resolution to put it up for formal discussion. The Syrians had asked the Soviet Union to sponsor the resolution but were turned down. The USSR’s A.A. Sobelev did tell the Council that Syria’s resolution should be given attention–but that was lip service to appease the Arab bloc; it is not believed the USSR will go nearly as far in condemning Israel as the Syrians would like.