Echoes of Britain’s disagreement with the United States over the Palestine problem 30 years ago were sounded yesterday with the release of the British Cabinet papers of 1949. They recalled that Ernest Bevin, the Foreign Secretary, complained to the Cabinet about “the instability” and “vacillation” of American policy in the Middle East.
For example, President Truman had promised support for a United Nations resolution backing the internationalization of Jerusalem yet shortly, after wards, the U.S. State Department seemed to be offering different proposals, particularly with regard to Trans-Jordan.
In the debate, Aneurin Bevan, the Health Minister, challenged the basis of Britain’s whole approach to the region. He doubted if Britain’s position could be maintained through the support of “unstable and reactionary” Arab governments. Instead he wanted Britain to befriend the Jews who would give her all the facilities needed to establish strong military bases in Palestine.
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