General satisfaction with the new Anglo-American-French policy on supplying arms to Israel and the Arab countries was expressed here today by Moshe Sharett, Israel’s Foreign Minister, who is visiting South Africa.
Upon his return here today from Capetown, where he was received by Premier Daniel F. Malan, Mr. Sharett told a press conference that he hopes the three-power policy “will signify the end of the unilateral discriminative supply of arms to some governments in the Middle East.” He expressed gratification at the hope voiced in the declaration for an early Arab-Israel peace and emphasized that Israel is willing to enter into any peace talks. At the same time he voiced concern over the arms already supplied to Arab countries in the Middle East.
On the prospect of an Arab-Israel peace, Mr. Sharett said that he was unable to make any definite statement. “We are ready for peace,” he said. “If the other side is, then peace can be concluded. Otherwise, the present position may continue for a long time.”
The Foreign Minister said that the Israel Government would like to see the “cold war” between the Western democracies and the Soviet bloc ended. “Our policy is one of not allying ourselves with any group powers,” he said. “This does not mean we are indifferent to ideas and systems of government,” he added. He emphasized that Israel pursues a policy of non-identification with any foreign power and that this policy is dictated by the interests of the Jewish people. “We cannot risk harming Jews anywhere by a policy of identification,” he declared.
Mr. Sharett revealed that during his meeting with Premier Malan he discussed various aspects of the situation in Israel and expressed appreciation on behalf of the Israel Government for the sympathetic consideration given by the government of South Africa to all issues involving the Jewish state. At the same time he emphasized that his visit to South Africa has no international character, but constitutes a good-will visit to South African Jewry.
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