Israel to Seek Clarification of Eden’s Pledge in Parliament

The Israel Government will seek clarification of the vague statement made by British Foreign Minister Sir Anthony Eden in the House of Commons on the possibility of Britain’s underwriting an Arab-Israel settlement providing it covers the future of the Arab refugees, the frontiers, and the development of the Jordan River, it was learned here today from Israel circles.

If such a settlement were to be a pre-condition of guarantees to Israel, it was pointed out, the Arab states, by merely refusing a settlement could frustrate any British move to insure Israel’s security and might secure Israel’s isolation more easily by political means than militarily.

The very vagueness of the statement by Sir Anthony, it is felt by Israel circles, could alone encourage the Arab states in their present intransigent attitude. These circles emphasized that if Sir Anthony had in mind Israel concessions such as ceding territory or accepting the return of the refugees, Israel could not consider the matter further. Israel, however, is always willing to consider adjustments with the Arab states and is ready to do so in a free and voluntary interchange across a table.

Exactly what Sir Anthony had in mind, no one really knows. In the coming days Israel’s diplomatic efforts will be directed toward obtaining clarification of his views, as well as to an unrelenting search for tangible guarantees of its security and territorial integrity in the face of growing Arab strength and increasing Arab hostility.

Israel circles here welcomed the debate in Commons yesterday as a valuable demonstration that MP’s on both sides of the House were friendly toward Israel, and said it was important in that members of both major parties took the opportunity to stress the dangers inherent for Israel in the new “northern tier” pact.