Israel Parliament Votes Support for Government’s Security Policy

The present security policy of the Israel Government, as well as its foreign affairs policy, was approved today in the Knesset by a substantial majority. Three separate opposition motions of non-confidence were defeated. They were introduced separately by the Communist, Herut and General Zionist factions. The vote came at the close of a debate which has been adjourned from last week.

Winding up the debate, Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett pledged that Israel will do everything possible to save the peace. He deprecated the trend to panic “in certain circles,” but warned that Israel would fight, if necessary, “as no other nation” would.

He told the House that Israel wanted a security pact with the United States, but that this would not substitute for arms which must, because of the acquisition of new weapons by Egypt, be given priority. He said that such a pact was under consideration, adding that during his recent talks in Washington he had said that a pact in itself was not enough.

Referring to the Johnston Plan for regional development of the Jordan Valley, he reported that the Israel Government had agreed to it in principle. He said the Arabs had withheld their reply and are now on the verge of rejecting the Johnston Plan Telling the House of the resolution on Israel adopted at the merger convention of the AFLCIO, he praised both George Meany and Walther Reuther.

Mr. Sharett rejected any suggestion that Israel accept the return of the Arab refugees, insisting that the Israel Government does not regard this as a contribution to a solution of the problem. He referred to the government’s policy of reuniting families separated by the War of Liberation and intimated this would be broadened, but stated flatly that the government would not accept responsibility for resettling the refugees.