Communists and Leftists Seek Debate in Israel Parliament on Aid to U.N. in Korea

The question of Israel’s attitude toward the Korean conflict came up in parliament last night when Communist deputy Meir Wilner introduced a motion requesting a parliamentary debate on Israel’s plodge to the United Nations to send medical aid to the U.N. forces in Korea. The motion was seconded by Yaacov Riftin, left-wing Socialist deputy of the Mapam group.

The Communist deputy also demanded Israel support for Russia’s request that Soviet-supported China be given a seat in the U.N. Security Council. He pointed out that such support would only be logical since Israel formally recognized Communist China.

Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett opposed the renewal of a debate in parliament on Israel’s aid to the U.N. armed forces in Korea. “The Government’s act,” he said, “was the logical consequence of the parliament’s decision on the reply of the Jewish state to the appeal addressed by U.N. Secretary-General Trygve Lie to all member states of the United Nations. The majority of the parliament approved the Government’s reply,” he pointed out.

With regard to the proposal that Israel support Soviet efforts to gain a seat in the Security Council for Red China, Mr. Sharett stated that if the Israel Government is asked by a bona fide U.N. institution to take a stand on the China problem, the Government will not hesitate to do so. Following Mr. Sharett’s remarks, the parliament voted to discuss other matters on the agenda.

(A strong appeal for U.S. aid to underdeveloped countries in the Middle East was voiced today by Assistant Secretary of State George G. McGhee, speaking in Cambridge, Mass., at a conference on “The Great Powers and the Near East” held under the auspices of Harvard University. If America fails to aid underdeveloped countries such as in the Middle East, “the mantle of world leadership will pass to another system and another people,” he stated.)