Israel Looks with Apprehension at Germany’s Revival, Eban Says

Israel “looks with apprehension at the speed with which Germany is being brought back to the family of nations,” Ambassador Abba Eban said today in a nation-wide broadcast over the Mutual Broadcasting System.

“Israel and its 500,000 refugees,” Mr. Eban said, “find it hard to believe that this generation of Germans–which carried out unspeakable crimes and murdered in cold blood 6,000,000 men, women and children–can be a fitting partner to be associated with the defense of moral and liberal values.

“We look with deep apprehension at the speed that Germany is being revived, industrialized and militarized. We think this ‘repentance’ has been far too speedy. It should not have taken place before the German people actually showed signs of contrition and repentence for the crimes committed in their name.”

The Ambassador referred to the problem of the Arab refugees, mentioning a recent U.N. General Assembly decision to appropriate $250,000,000 for their resettlement and employment “in the countries in which they now find themselves.” He said that the world will begin to see a solution to the Arab refugee problem in three years “if the Arab governments cooperate” with the U.N. plan.

Mr. Eban reported that two factors connected with Israel’s economic situation attracted his attention when he returned to Israel after a year’s absence. He said these were the high degree of mechanization which has taken place in industry and the discovery of important natural resources such as phosphates, manganese and other valuable ores. He added, however, that the recent discoveries will not have an immediate effect on Israel’s economy of austerity, rationing, and control of imports because the “in-gathering of exiles” is far from completed.