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U.N. Political Committee Begins Consideration of Israeli Application for Admission

May 4, 1949
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The 58-nation U.N. Ad Hoc Political Committee Began formal debate today on Israel’s application for admission after Ger. Carlos Romulo of the Philippines, the chairman, ruled down all Arab objections. The Committee will resume the discussion tomorrow morning.

A formal proposal by Dr. Charles Malik of the Lebanon called for postponement of action on the application until Israel accepted the principle of the internationalization of Jerusalem and the voluntary return of Arab refugees.

Argentina submitted a formal proposal inviting the Vatican to present its formula for the protection of Holy Places in Palestine. However, the Argentine delegate repeatedly underscored the fact that he does not interpose any “condition” for the admission of Israel which he says his delegation “sympathetically” supports.

Warren R. Austin, United States delegate, was instrumental in bringing about the Committee’s discussion of the membership bid. In the face of repeated Arab attempts to postpone, adjourn and scuttle the application, Austin rose with a proposal for a quick vote, which almost brought about a vote then and there and caused the Arabs to drop their attempts to block discussion. Canada and China–both members of the Security Council–upheld the validity of the Council’s recommendation that Israel be accepted as a member of the U.N.

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