Israel Anxious Despite Soothing U.S. Statements, Sharett Says

“Soothing statements now coming from the United States cannot dispel Israel’s anxiety in view of the fact that previous announcements followed a long array of ideas, evaluations and approaches derived from a prolonged and thorough study of problems confronting us,” Premier and Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett declared in the Israel Parliament today. His speech concluded the debate on Israel’s foreign policy.

Parliament, by a vote of 60 against six, expressed confidence in the Government’s foreign policy. The vote was taken following Mr. Sharett’s speech in which he declared that “the Israel Government greatly appreciates every expression of friendship as seen recently in the United States on the part of government sources following Israel’s reaction to certain declarations and deeds concerning Israel’s vital problems.”

Voting fully in favor of the Government’s policy, were the deputies of the Mapai Party, General Zionist Party, Progressive Party, Mizrachi Party, Mizrachi Labor Party, Agudah Party and the Agudah Laborites. The right-wing Herut and the leftwing Mapam Party voted only for those passages dealing with Israel’s security and immigration and the passages opposing the granting by the U. S. of arms to Arabs.

Mr. Sharett emphasized in his speech that it could be assumed that “what has so far been presented to us does not present views finally crystallized or ultimate decisions on the basis of which the position of the United States Government would be determined.”

WILL WELCOME AMERICA’S RETURN TO FORMER LINE OF FRIENDSHIP

“We were warned,” the Israel Premier said, “and we will be vigilant. We will welcome every sign of return (by the United States) to the line from which there has been an apparent deviation. The traditions of friendship and mutual understanding existing between Israel and the United States are firm and are on a solid base on which one can always fall back and which can even be strengthened, given only the good will.

“But,” Premier Sharett continued, “it is not only the matter of formulation which concerns us: we are faced with practical matters, namely, the arming of Iraq–a country hostile to Israel, a country which openly plans an assault upon the peace and stability in the Middle East. This step is grave both in itself and also because it is liable to serve as a precedent for a general arming of Arab countries at a time when they maintain a state of war toward Israel and harbor schemes for revenge.

“The Israel Government reiterates that as long as there is no decisive change in the attitude of the Arab countries on the issue of peace, it will regard any arms granted to Iraq as directed against Israel,” Mr. Sharett said. “The Israel Government will, therefore, continue its vigorous opposition against arming Iraq or any other Arab country.

“We face problems and complications in abundance,” Mr. Sharett said. “The line now taken by Russia to support the hostile attitude of our neighboring countries in every stage of their conflict with us arouses concern no less grave than the American policy. Our enemies in the Middle East are gathering more and more courage from this combination of circumstances.

“We are called upon for greater alertness on the external front, but our ability to hold out depends, in the last analysis, on our internal strength. We shall, therefore, continue to strengthen our defense forces and shall endeavor, with all the means at our disposal, to encourage immigration, extend our colonization efforts, strengthen our national economy and improve our financial position.

“These aims,” the Israel Premier said, “cannot be achieved without the assistance of Jews outside of Israel, but first and foremost they depend upon the efforts of the Israel people. Only the intensification of efforts and the willingness of acceptance by the citizens of Israel of severe obligations will bring greater participation of world Jewry. The key to renewed immigration and to a victory on the political front is in our hands.”