The 18th session of the United Nations General Assembly opens here tomorrow with the perpetual Arab-Israeli issues among the 77 items on its agenda.
It was confidently predicted here today that the three U.N. bodies dealing with Arab-Israel problems will continue their existence at the present levels into 1964. These bodies are: 1. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, which has more than 1, 000,000 Arab refugees on its relief rolls; 2. The United Nations Truce Supervision Organization , which maintains its headquarters in Jerusalem’s No-Man’s Land; 3, The United Nations Emergency Force, which guards the Israel-Gaza Strip border as well as the Egyptian shores of the Gulf of Akaba. There was no doubt in highest diplomatic and Secretariat circles here today that the necessary budgets will be voted for all three groups.
Israel will come to the Assembly this year with a delegation composed largely of experts who are well known here. Mrs. Golda Meir, Israel’s Foreign Minister, will head the delegation after her arrival here, scheduled now for September 24. During her absence, Ambassador Michael S, Comay, Israel’s permanent representative, will carry on his duties as delegation chairman. Other members of the delegation will be Ambassador Arthur Lourie, coming here from his post as Israeli envoy to London; a group of leading Foreign Ministry officials; and three members of the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament.
Israel will participate in the debates on a number of general matters, not directly connected with the Middle East, including several agenda items dealing with various phases of disarmament. Another important group of items on the agenda concerns African affairs, on which Israel is also expected to be heard. These items include South Africa’s policy of apantheid.
One issue on which Israel is expected to play an articulate role concerns human rights. Israel is expected to show particular interest in resolutions banning racial discrimination and religious intolerance. These resolutions will involve consideration of the Soviet Union’s discrimination policies against Jews in the USSR. Israel will pursue that subject vigorously when it comes up for debate.
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