The United States Government was asked here yesterday “to take the lead” in attempting a settlement of the Arab-Israel crisis. The request was voiced by Senator John J. Sparkmen, of Alabama, in addressing a regional conference of the United Jewish Appeal. He warned that if the Arabs invade Israel, the United States would find itself “in much the same position we were when the North Koreans invaded South Korea.”
“We Americans,” said the Senator, “must assume the following fundamental facts about Israel: first, it is a reality. Second, the United States has had a leading part in the establishment and recognition of Israel as a free and independent country. Third, perhaps most important of all, despite the efforts of the Communists to entice Israel into their orbit, Israel has stood firm for freedom in the great struggle of this mid-twentieth century.”
Referring to “the recent statements of Premier Ben Gurion that Israel will not start a war,” Senator Sparkman stated: “Of equal importance and immediacy is a clear cut United States policy. The gist of recent statements by the President and the Secretary of State seems to be that we are relying, first, on the 1950 agreements between the United States. France and Britain to the effect that there shall be no aggression in this area and that the boundaries between the Arab states and Israel will be maintained and second, of the United Nations–the theory being that Israel is a creation of the United Nations and that the United Nations should solve the present difficulties which exist there. Neigher idea contains a plan of implementation and action,” Senator Sparkman charged.
“We have stated a moral obligation to maintain the boundaries. Indeed, our Secretary of State testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the United States was obligated to defend the national integrity of the State of Israel. Thus, it seems to be important that the United States forthwith take the lead in attempting to settle the Middle East tensions. Clearly, something more definite and far-reaching than press conference statements about the capacity of the respective countries to absorb arms is required.” he declared.
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