Western statesmen were called upon today by the Times of London to address themselves “without delay” to the question of Arab-Israel relations. The editorial, entitled “Middle East Takes Stock,” said:
“For all the improvement in stability in the Middle East which the Anglo-Egyptian agreement seems likely to effect, it has two important limitations. It won’t resolve the dynastic and national rivalries which have long bedeviled the Arab League. Above all, it won’t of itself ease Arab-Israel relations. Indeed, it may well worsen them; and there is deep resentment among Israelis at what seems to them Britain’s failure to make a settlement with Egypt the occasion for obtaining the Egyptians’ compliance with the Security Council resolution condemning interference with Israel-bound shipping passing through the Canal.
“The further prospect that Egypt will gain materially in strength, both from her possession of the Canal base and from new gifts of arms, is bound to alarm Israel so long as Egypt continues to maintain a threatening attitude toward her. This is the problem to which Western statesmen should address themselves without delay, for there can be no lasting security in the Middle East while tension between Israel and her Arab neighbors remains.”
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
