Israelis Not Frightened by Arab Sabre-rattling, Neumann Says

The people of Israel are “not a bit frightened” by the “verbal sabre-rattling of the Arab rulers.” Dr. Emanuel Neumann declared here this weekend in his first formal statement since his return from Israel where he headed the economic department of the Jewish Agency executive in Jerusalem. Dr. Neumann added that the Israelis are astonished by reports that the United States Government intends to furnish Arab states with arms and are “puzzled by the staggering ineptitude of such a policy.”

The veteran Zionist leader asserted that the new government headed by Premier Moshe Sharett enjoys “the confidence of the overwhelming majority of the population and there is almost universal satisfaction that the broad coalition, based on the cooperation of Mapai and General Zionists, has been preserved and is likely to continue until the next national elections in 1955. Internal Cabinet crises may arise from time to time, chiefly over questions of economic policy, but will probably be ironed out by compromise and mutual concessions.

“If current efforts to secure a Consolidation Loan in the United States meet with success, there is a good chance that the Israel Government may agree to the decontrol of foreign exchange long advocated by the General Zionists,” he declared.

“It is believed that Prime Minister Sharett is deeply concerned to enhance the cooperation between the State of Israel and the Zionist Movement and the Government is expected to make further efforts in that direction. There is little doubt that this reflects the prevailing sentiment in Israel. On the other hand,” Dr. Neumann stressed, “it is hoped and expected that American Zionists will play an increasing part in the work of the United Jewish Appeal as well as the sale of the new Israel Bond issue.”