Marshall Plan Aid to Israel is Being Discussed in Official Circles in Washington

An altogether sympathetic attitude has at last become evident throughout the government toward Israel, replacing the previous confusion in which high officials worked, for Israel while functioning career officers–with the encouragement of powerful defense and diplomatic leaders–undercut the Jews ?rd worked in behalf of the Arabs, it was learned here today.

The position of many officials now is that every effort must be made to be sure that Israel becomes a committed member of the Western bloc. Previous opponents of the new regime are twisting the old axiom in stating that “if you can’t lick ’em, ?ake ’em join with your team.” In this respect there is a new-found unity of purpose ?ward the thorny Palestine problem with its consequences on the power structure of the Middle East. Old friends of the Jewish cause here are also naturally interested in the adherence of Israel to the West.

The method by which this is to be accomplished, if possible, is apparently its tried and true lure of the Marshall Plan. Suggestions have already seeped from official quarters that such aid will be available to Israel as well as Western Europe, condition, of course, is that Israel, must make its foreign policy crystal-clear regarding its position in the East-West battle.

At this point it is not determined whether any official advances along this line have already been made to the Israelis. It is plain, however, that if advances have not yet been made they are imminent.

Certain United States officials, aware of Israel’s desire to keep out of the East-West “battle, nevertheless maintain that such a position is undersirable if not impossible. They are increasingly fond of describing the Israeli position as “isolationist” and doomed to failure. They insist that Israel will; have to take sides. Apparently the Marshall Plan will be used to tempt Israel into the struggle on the side of the United States.