India’s attitude toward Israel was subjected to close scrutiny in diplomatic circles here this weekend as a result of a sharp pro-Arab speech delivered in Cairo recently by India’s former Defense Minister and United Nations representative, V. K. Krishna Menon. The Hindu leader told the Arabs that only “force” would bring them their desired “liberation of Palestine.” He spoke as the official representative of the Indian Government.
Linked with the Krishna Menon diatribe against Israel was a report from India that the Indian Friends of Israel Society and called off a farewell party for Israel’s departing Bombay consul, Peretz Gordon. The party was scheduled for tonight. Mr. Gordon had informed the society, composed of leading Indian intellectuals, that he would not be able to attend the party. However, there were indications that Mr. Gordon had bowed out of that party because Israel felt the Indian Government opposed the event out of fear of offending the Arab states.
In his violent speech against Israel, the text of which reached Washington this weekend from Cairo, Mr. Krishna Menon said: “It is said that justice has great strength, but I would say that in most cases the voice of force is louder than the voice of Justice. Force and Arab unity are the real solution to the problem of Palestine. And finally, I would request you not to say always that you will throw Israel into the sea, because by that you would pollute the sea itself.”
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