A pro-Arab resolution, sponsored by Moslem states and backed by the Soviet group, was adopted here today by the General Assembly’s Special Political Committee, calling upon the next Assembly, next fall, to consider setting up some form of custodianship over Arab refugee property allegedly left in Israel.
The same committee defeated a resolution sponsored by the United States which, in the view of the American delegation, could have pleased both Israel and the Arabs. The American resolution avoided mention of the Arab refugees’ “property rights” in Israel. Israel, however, abstained on this draft, and the Washington-sponsored measure was beaten by a vote of 31 to 30 with 15 abstentions.
The Arab resolution, sponsored by five Moslem states, was adopted by a vote of 47 in favor, 19 against and 20 abstentions. Israel, as expected, voted against this measure, calling it a “sinister” step toward the destruction of Israel.
The Moslem draft will, ultimately, have to be voted upon at a plenary session of the General Assembly, where a two-thirds majority is required for final passage. Several ranking, non-Israeli diplomats in the committee predicted that the pro-Arab resolution would fail to obtain the needed two-thirds majority when it is brought before the Assembly.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
