The warning that Israel intends to protect itself and its interests in the event that any of the neighboring states merge with each other or annex one another, was sounded in the Israel Parliament today by Premier Moshe Sharett.
Mr. Sharett, who is also Foreign Minister, said that although Israel was aware if its ability to achieve its justified interests by using its military strength, its policy nevertheless remains one of fighting for peace. Mr. Sharett rebuked certain rightwing elements who, during the recent crises in Egypt and Syria, had suggested an attack on the Arab forces in behalf of Israel’s interests.
Commenting on East and West wooing of the Arab states, Mr. Sharett said that Moscow’s overtures to the Arabs was based on the illusion that they represented a military and geographical power. However, he said, the possibilities of changing Soviet policy in this matter were limited in comparison to the possibility of changing the policy of the Western Powers because the latter were open to influence by public opinion.
He deplored American “appeasement” of Iraq, noting for the record that Iraq had once before attempted to crush Israel with British military assistance which had been received on assurances that it would only be used for defense purposes.
Mr. Sharett expressed alarm over the statement of the Premier of Pakistan, after the recent Turkish-Pakistani military pact was signed, affirming his “loyalty” to the Palestine Arab cause. Turkey’s immediate disassociation from the Pakistani “threat” was “gratifying” to the Israel Government, he added.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
