The foreign policy of the Israel Government was approved last night by Parliament–by a vote of 58 to 22–on a resolution supporting the views expressed by Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett with regard to the Kibya incident, the Syrian complaint to the United Nations against Israel’s hydroelectric project on the Jordan River, and American-Israel relations.
Mr. Sharett, who is now Acting Premier, emphasized that Israel’s policies toward its borders, or toward the question of re-admitting Arab refugees, or to the development of Jordan River waters, “must primarily be built on Israel’s sovereignty to decide its affairs and aspirations as seen fit for our needs.”
Referring specifically to Israel-American relations, he pointed out that there had been “ups and downs” in the United States policy toward Israel from Presidents Roosevelt, through Truman to Eisenhower. But even while there were “downs” in that policy, he stressed, there were also expressions of sympathy and financial and political aid.
There can be clashes and differences between the two countries, he declared, but they must be settled in “good spirit and good faith.” When the State Department halted economic aid to Israel earlier this year, “we were not alarmed,” Mr. Sharett asserted, “we won’t be alarmed if it is halted again.”
SHARETT EXPLAINS ISRAEL’S INTERNATIONAL “ENTANGLEMENTS”
Emphasizing that Israel wants to make friends with all peace-loving nations, Mr. Sharett told Parliament that the recent international entanglements in which Israel found itself involved were a result of the initiative taken by the Israel Government with regard to the country’s basic problems.
“The entanglement with regard to Jerusalem was caused by our decision to transfer the Foreign Office from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem–an act which is justified politically and nationally,” Mr. Sharett stated. He added that the decision to move the Foreign Office to Jerusalem, brought Israel into conflict with the United States and other nations, but pointed out: “We fought for our right to have the Foreign Office together with the rest of the government and we hope the world will finally recognize the justice of our step.”
A second such “entanglement,” the Acting Premier said, resulted from Israel’s decision to continue developing its water resources in the north–to which Syria has objected and which is now being discussed in the UN Security Council. “We find that the supreme interests of our country, and its development and absorption, depend upon this development,” Mr. Sharett declared. “There are international difficulties, but we have to stand up and fight until we win.”
The third incident, he said, was the Kibya raid which resulted from constant Arab killings and, although the Israel Government does not approve of the raid, it understands the feelings of those who participated in it.
The resolution approving Mr. Sharett’s views was introduced jointly by the Mapai, General Zionist, Mizrachi, Poale Mizrachi and Progressive Parties–the constituent parties of the coalition government. Mr. Sharett, in his speech, hit the opposition parties–Mapam, Herut, Communist–for their criticism of the government’s policies.
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