Israel Army Ready to Defend Country Ben Gurion Warns Arab States

The Israel Army of Defense will give a good account of itself if it is again faced with the “supreme trial” as it was seven years ago when it was born during the invasion of the newly-established Jewish State by seven Arab armies Premier-designate David Ben Gurion declared here today addressing a commencement parade of army officer cadets.

Mr. Ben Gurion who, with the exception of the short period when he was not in the Cabinet has been the civilian head of the army from its birth. took this opportunity to warn Egypt and the other Arab states that despite the fact that “we pray and hope” for peace “if we are faced again with the supreme trial we will stand up to it with greater force and better ability than seven years ago “He praised the nation and the army for remaining continuously on the alert in the face of almost “daily and nightly trial” by Arab marauders and stressed that “only a few days ago (the army) again proved its fighting superiority on the land and in the air.”

He emphasized that year by year the Israel Army has improved its equipment its training and its organization But although these factors are important, he asserted, the most essential element is the spirit and vision which “permeates the heart of the fighter and moulds his strength. “He underscored the role of the Army in helping the new immigrant fit into the life of Israel, educating him, improving his health and morale and training him for civilian settlement as well as military duties. He noted that the security of the state did not rest on the army alone, but also on the ingathering of immigrants from abroad their settlement on the land the rehabilitation of the land and the development of industry.