Israeli Leaders Arrive in New York; Report on Country’s Courage

No nation ever showed greater courage than Israel is showing now during a time of conflict, and no greater morale than that of the Israelis has ever been shown by any other people, it was reported here today by three Israelis who have just arrived in New York. They are Avram Harman, a member of the executive of the Jewish Agency; Theodore Kollek, director-general of the office of Israel’s Premier David Ben Gurion; and Lt. Col. Nachman Karni of the Israel Army.

The morale of the people of Israel, especially those in Jerusalem, was praised highly by Mr. Harman. He reported that, during a virtual blackout of all news about Israel’s army operations for four days and nights, Israelis remained calm, having full confidence in their army and government leadership.

Despite reports to the contrary, Mr. Harman said, all schools throughout the country remained open, there was adequate food, there was no run on food stores, and no panic buying. The only difficulty that the country experienced during the first few days was in a transport shortage, since many buses, trucks and automobiles had been pressed into army service for the transport of soldiers and supplies to the front.

“From 7 P.M: Monday, until Thursday evening,” Mr. Harman said, referring to the first week of the fighting with Egypt, “the Israeli people received very little news about the fighting. Yet there was no grumbling; everyone accepted the fact that a news blackout was evidently necessary as part of the strategy. When the first news did come through, on Thursday night, there was of course tremendous satisfaction and great pride. But the civilian population showed the highest morale throughout.”

Mr. Kollek emphasized that the Jews of Israel need encouragement from Jews in other parts of the world in order that they should feel that they do not stand alone in their struggle. He said that Israel will not withdraw from Sinai until she receives assurance of free passage through the Suez Canal and not prior to the settlement of the entire problem of her security and peace. At the same time he stressed that Israel will not attack Jordan or any of her other Arab neighboring countries unless she is attacked first.

Col. Karni, an infantry officer, was suddenly called from his command last Friday and ordered to emplane for the United States. Fresh from the fighting, he told of the fast sweep of the Israel troops. The Israel Air Force, he said, did “magnificent” work, but the Egyptian fliers–although flying fast, Soviet MIG jet fighters–refused to give battle.