The blue-and-white flag of Israel will be hoisted over Israel’s offices here tomorrow morning following the official announcement ## yesterday that Britain has decided to grant the Jewish state de facto recognition. The terse announcement read:
“His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom have decided to accord de facto recognition to the Government of Israel. They hope to arrange with that Government for the early exchange of representatives.”
Following the announcement of British recognition of Israel, I.J. Linton, acting Israeli representative here, was received by British Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin, Their meeting was described as “very cordial.” He was accompanied by Dr. E. ?apou. of the Israeli mission in London. The two went to the Foreign Office on feet because of the Sabbath.
After the meeting, Linton declared: “I warmly welcome ‘the decision of His Majesty’s Government in according de facto?r?cogni?iontto the Government of Israel and trust it may lead to the earliest establishment of normal and friendly relations between Britain and Israel. I also hope it nay hasten the process of bringing peace and tranquility to the Middle East to the advantage of all its peoples.”
JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS IN BRITAIN HAIL RECOGNITION OF ISRAEL
Prof. Selig Brodetsky, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, is sued a statement last night declaring that “the Board of Decuties welcomes with great pleasure the news of de facto recognition of Israel by the United Kingdom. It looks forward to this official and friendly act being followed by full recognition and Britain’s support of the acceptance of Israel among the United Nations. It is an act which it is sincerely hoped and believed will bring nearer a peaceful settlement in the Middle East and lay the foundations of growing friendship and cooperation between Britain and Israel.”
The Anglo-Jewish Association released a statement asserting that the organization “welcomes the decision of His Majesty’s Government to accord de facto recognition to the state of Israel and trusts that this change of policy will materially contribute to, the restoration of peace in the Middle East. It hopes that His Majesty’s Government will now use the full weight of their influence to promote neighborly relations between Israel, and the Arab states and friendly cooperation between then in the common interest of all.”
The Association also sent a cable to Israeli President Dr. Chain Weizmann stating that the “Association begs leave to assure you of the satisfaction with which it welcomes the British Government’s recognition of the state of Israel and, in conveying to you sincere good wishes for its progress and prosperity, expresses the hope which it knows to be yours that we nay now see happier relations between Britain and Israel and the development of close and friendly association in keeping with Britain’s part in building up of the Jewish National Home and her traditional sympathy with Jewish needs and aspirations.”
The European Executive of the Agudath Israel today sent a message to Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin expressing appreciation for Britain’s recognition of Israel and voicing the belief that “this will lead to the reestablishment of friendly relations between Britain and the Jews of Palestine and will enable Britain to render her fullest support in the peaceful upbuilding of the Jewish National Home”
The Sunday Observer declared editorially today that a “new start” was now needed in British-Israeli relations and said that “Bevin’s fierce rear-guard action in Parliament nust not be allowed, to deflect us from the task of appreciating the new situation coolly and dispassionately and adjusting our policy accordingly.” The paper stressed that Israel has emerged as the strongest local power in the Middle East. The victory of the moderates in the Israeli elections,” the Observer warned, “does not guarantee Israel’s final course “and it is therefore essential to create a “territorially satisfied Israel, able to accommodate an expected 1,000,000 immigrants within |its own frontiers, and feeling safe through the strong support of the two great powers with strong Middle Eastern interests–Britain and America.”
The Sunday Times, castigating past indecision and inactivity, said that “de facto recognition of Israel will not alone put matters right. Britain must resume her active leadership if she is to retrieve her position.” The Sunday Dispatch stated that recognition now instead of later is the result of the Cabinet’s decision to override a new desire by Bevin for further delay” and adds that the decision was primarily a move to save the government internally.
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