Israel can expect increasing pressure in the coming months to make concessions on the Palestine Arab refugee question, experienced observers here believe. They base the prediction on developments revolving about United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold’s present visit to the Middle East and indications from abroad.
One of the purposes of Mr. Hammarskjold’s trip to the Middle East was the disquiet of UN member states over the refugee situation. With the UN Relief and Work Agency for the refugees due to die in 1960, many states would like to see steps taken toward a solution of the problem. The Western Powers and many neutrals agree that Israel cannot bear sole responsibility for a solution of the problem, but seem to feel that an Israeli contribution would help break the ice.
Pressure for Israeli actions expected on four points: Israeli acceptance of the principle of the refugee’s right to choose freely between repatriation under conditions set by Israel and compensation; Israel’s declaration of willingness to accept a “symbolical number” of refugees; initiation of compensation payments even before a final solution is achieved, and some measures of UN control over abandoned Arab property and income therefrom.
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