Israel Urges U.N. to Assure Freedom of Access Before Calling International Parleys

The Israel delegation to the U.N. today called on the world organization to assure itself of full freedom of access before calling international conferences. In a formal amendment to draft rules governing such conferences, the Israel proposal would have the Secretary-General and the Economic and Social Council “fully satisfy themselves” that all delegations and information personnel will have an open door and equal treatment before designating the place and date of the conference. Such procedure would forestall such occurrences as the recent removal of a U.N. parley from Alexandria to Geneva because the Egyptians would not admit the Israel delegates to the parley to the country.

Israel delegate Arthur Lourie last night told the 59-nation special political committee that his government favors an open door on membership but could not support a Soviet omnibus proposal because it includes admission of Transjordan. Mr. Lourie admitted that the situation in Palestine had improved since the cessation of hostilities, but said Israel “still needs some time for further consideration before taking a decisive step in so grave a matter.”

Because of this and the Korean issue on which the delegation received no instructions from Tel Aviv, the Israel delegation, he said, would reserve the right to take a final stand on membership. Israel, he added, favors a policy that will admit as many members as possible except those who violate the peace. Mr. Lourie declared that it is “illegitimate” under the Charter to “withhold membership through disagreement with the political outlook or current policies of the applicant.”

The executive board of the U.N. Children’s Emergency Fund last night appropriated $250,000 to aid children and nursing mothers in refugee camps in Israel. This allocation, for a period of six months, was one vote short of being unanimous, with Iraq abstaining.