Stronger Ties with Britain Urged in Israel Parliament

The Israel Government was advised to consider strengthening its ties with Britain instead of putting all its hopes on the United States, as the Israel Parliament today began an eight-hour foreign policy debate following last night’s lengthy analysis of Israel’s position in reference to the Arab states and the Western Powers by Premier and Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett.

The suggestion that Israel might do well to place greater reliance on the British came from Meir Argov, Mapai Party leader and chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, one of Israel’s major foreign policy makers. Mr. Argov also declared that if there were territorial changes in the neighboring Arab countries Israel would “feel free” to protect Israel’s interests. In an obvious thrust at the American plan for regional development of the Jordan River’s resources, Mr. Argov declared that Israel’s water resources are its own wealth and that only Israelis are entitled to distribute this wealth in accordance with the country’s development needs.

Menahem Beigin, Herut leader, stormed at the government and at the United States. “Shame on America for arming the murderers of our sons, daughters and children,” he cried. He reiterated earlier demands for armed action by Israel to “prevent a war.” He insisted that Israel must recapture the lands which were within the original historical borders of the Jewish State.

I. Riftin, Mapam deputy, chided the Sharett Government for its “one-sided policy, its reliance only on Western capitalism,” and its failure to attempt to achieve “realties with the popular democracies.”