THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS — Friday,
Israel Acts in Self-Defense to Protect Air
Routes; Seeks Arms from U.S. and France
Soviet Pressures Denied; Eban,
Mrs. Meir, Peres Plead for Aid
(Continued from Page 1)
the Israelis now declare, and
as a result Israel has decided
that she must follow an inde-
pendent course in relation to
Jordan based on her own se-
curity.
It was noted in London that
with the closing of the Jordan-
Syrian frontier Jordan has vir-
tually been isolated, with but
one outlet to the world at
large—the port of Aqaba. It is
reported that American experts
are in Jordan investigating the
possibility of improving road
and rail transport from the
busy small southern port to
Amman.
Withdrawal of Israel's per-
mission for British overflight
over her territory with troop
and supply planes from Cyprus
followed receipt by Israel of a
note from Soviet Russia pro-
testing against such overflights.
The Israel Foreign Office is
understood to be drafting a
reply to the Kremlin note, ex-
plaining Israel's reasons for
permitting the overflight.
When the Middle East crisis
flared white hot a fortnight ago,
Premier David Ben - Gurion
called on Moscow to back its
protestations of desiring peace
in the Middle East by inter-
vening in behalf of direct Arab-
Israel negotiations. At the same
time, the Premier asked the
USSR to supply Israel with the
same arms it had sent the Arab
states. The only reply was the
note of protest against the over-
flights.
It is understood that when
the British shrugged off con-
tinued Israeli requests for an
end to the violations of Israeli
air space, the British Ambassa-
dor was called in and told in
the firmest tones, that the
flights must cease.
Israel's Premier Ben-Gurion
met separately Monday night
with United States Ambassa-
dor Edward B. Lawson and
British Ambassador Sir Fran-
cis Rundall, regarding the
overflight issue.
(In London, British defense
officials disclosed that they had
established a new supply route
for British forces in Jordan that
would avoid Israel territory and
use of Israel air space. In future
supplies to Britain's paratroops
in Jordan will go through the
port of Aqaba, on the Gulf of
Aqaba, overland to the interior
A contingent of supply troops
arrived in Aqaba to handle the
shipments.)
Although, by coincidence, the
final Israeli demand came on
the same day the Soviet Union
protested to Israel against the
British action, it was stated
here that there was no con-
nection between the two devel-
opments. The Israeli demand
was motivated by two _inter-
connected factors:
1. Israel's desire to avoid
further involvement in the
British intervention in Jor-
dan, particularly since Israel
feels the presence of British
troops in that Arab land
neither prevents Jordan's dis-
integration nor prevents a
barrier to Nasser 's expan-
sion.
2. Israel's suspicion that
Britain is again playing an
anti-Israel game in Jordan.
Commenting on London re-
ports that Israel would march
into Jordan if Hussein fell,
Israeli political circles hinted
that these reports constitute
another British attempt to set
up Israel as a bogey to con-
vince Jordan that British
troops are needed in the
country to prevent an Israeli
attack.
However, Israeli sources do
not deny that if Jordan falls
apart, Israel will be face to face
with an entirely new security
situation. It is felt here that
in such an eventuality, Israel's
actions will be determined by
her own security interests.
At his meeting in London
with British Prime Minister
Harold MacMillan, Italy's Prime
Minister Amintore Fanfani ad-
vocated a "territorial squeeze"
and said he believed the Arab-
Israel quarrel "will settle itself
in time."
Israeli representatives, For-
eign Minister Golda Meir and
Shimon Peres, director-general
of the Israel Defense Ministry,
meanwhile were in Paris in
search of modern arms and
for support of Israel's defense
efforts.
Mrs. Meir arrived in Paris
from Switzerland where she
was on the week-end for a rest.
Foreign Minister Maurice Couve
de Murville and Israel Am-
bassador Yaacov Tsur met
her at the airport. The press
greeted her arrival as "one of
the most important political
visits" for France.
Addressing newsmen at the
airport, Mrs. Meirsaid she was
grateful to France's leaders for
receiving her in a meeting
which she described as "vital"
for Israel. She said she was
pleased, "as always," to come
to France, "Israel's best and
greatest friend."
Mrs. Meir conferred for an
hour with French Premier
Charles de Gaulle and for
three and a half hours over
luncheon with her opposite
number, French Foreign Min-
ister de Murville. A commun-
ique issued after the meeting
with Gen. de Gaulle at his
official residence said that
the discussion had been car-
ried on in a "friendly spirit"
and that there had been a
clarification of views. It
stressed the mutual desire for
peace of Israel and France.
After the luncheon with M.
de Murville, at which French
Minister of Information Jacques
Soustelle, Parliamentary foreign
affairs chief Robert Schumann
and Israel Ambassador Yaacov
Tsur were present, a Foreign
Office spokesman said: "The
meeting was useful and practi-
cal." He added that France ap-
preciates Israel's desire for a
Middle East status quo. He de-
nied that a Franco-Israel mili-
tary alliance was discussed.
Italy's Foreign Minister
Amintore Fanfani stated on
Tuesday that he will discuss the
Middle East situation with Is-
rael's Foreign Minister, Mrs.
Meir, the end of this week.
Eban Denies Soviet Note
Influenced Israel's Action
Direct JTA Teletype Wire
to The Jewish News
WASHINGTON — Israel Am-
bassador Abba Eban, accom-
panied by Shimon Peres, direc-
tor general of Israel's Ministry
of Defense, met Tuesday in the
State Department with Acting
Secreary of State Christian
Herter. Following the confer-
ence Eban said that Israel's
renewed request for American
arms was still under considera-
tion. He added that he would
not make any statement on the
progress of this request until
there is mutual agreement.
Eban said that the question
of Israel territory bounded by
Jordan was also discussed and
that there is no cleavage be-
tween the United States and
Israel. He said there was no
change in Israel's policy.
New stories linking stoppage
of Jordan-bound flights over
Israel to the receipt of a Soviet
note to Israel are incorrect, an
Israel Embassy spokesman said.
He emphasized that there is no
connection whatever between
the note and the question of
the overflights. No reply to the
Soviet note has yet been sent by
the Government of Israel.
Ambassador Eban declined
to comment on Soviet Pre-
meir Nikita Khrushchev's de-
mand for an emergency ses-
sion of the United Nations
General Assembly. He said
that word of this demand
was just received while he
talked with Herter and that
he had had no opportunity
to study the Soviet note.
The belief that the time
has come for the United
States Government to express
itself with greater clarity on
its security commitments to
Israel was expressed by Am-
bassador Eban on "Face the
Nation," a national television
program. He also called for
Great Power guarantees to
the Middle East states, in-
cluding Israel.
He asked U.S. arms for Israel
as a deterrent to aggression, on
the same free basis which the
United States has provided the
Arab states with arms. He noted
that the new regime in Iraq had
benefited from vast quantities
Eisenhower for Fresh Look on M.E. Issues;
Dodges Question on Israel-Arab Relations
Direct JTA Teletype Wire
to The Jewish News
dan territory. But Israel, how-
ever, reserves all its rights in
LONDON — Prime Minister event of the partition of Jordan
Harold Macmillan on Wednes- by the Arab states or take-over
day received a first-hand ex- of the country by President
planation of Israel's stand with Nasser's United Arab Republic.
regard to the situation in Jor- Israel urgently requires arms
dan and Anglo-American at- to bolster her security and
tempts to bolster up the Hus- wants to purchase British arms
sein regime. The British States- 1, on a purely commercial basis,"
man met with Israel Ambassa- to enable her to withstand the
dor Eliahu Elath at the Envoy's pressure of an anticipated en-
request, as acrid criticism of circlement by the Nasser forces.
Israel was being voiced in the The Macmillan-Elath meeting
British press and in some po- Wednesday was backgrounded
litical circles, largely over Is- by mounting political excite-
rael's insistence that British ment and a spate of rumors in
supply planes cease overflights the press and in Whitehall
of Israel territory. circles. An alleged Israel "op-
The Israel position, as Elath erational plan" to march to the
explained was along the follow- west bank of the Jordan and
ing lines. occupy former Palestine terri-
Israel considers that Jordan tory is being widely rumored.
has been virtually lost to the The London Daily Mail reported
West and therefore sees no that "Premier Ben-Gurion has
point in helping Britain main- urged British Ambassador Sir
taro the Hussein regime for a Francis Rundell to agree to a
very short duration. Israel does partition plan for Jordan as a
not dare to risk having British minimum solution for the pres-
arms fall into the hands of an ent severe crisis.
Arab army which is still at war
Anthony Nutting, former
with 'Israel and therefore Israel
British Minister of State for
cannot permit further British
Foreign Affairs, called for "a
overflights over her territory.
get tough policy towards Is-
Israel would, however, recon- rael." He urged that Britain,
sider its decision in the event
"with the strongest American
of an emergency.
backing, should inform Ben-
Israel does not "at present"
Gurion that unless Israel
contemplate any military move
grants clearance for British
against Jordan's Western bank
withdrawal and for evacuation
(The Palestine territory occu-
of King Hussein, British will
pied by Jordan in 1948), nor send aircraft with fighter pro-
against any other strategic Jon-
tection across Israeli terri-
and Israel's borders. The issue
of Israel's borders was included
in the question addressed to the
President, but he did not spe-
cifically mention the word "bor-
ders" in his reply. He addressed
himself mainly to the related
matter of Arab nationalism, but
he made it appear he thought it
wise and desirable to take a
fresh look and clarify America's
stand on such problems.
In his references to the need
for development in the Near
East, Eisenhower said the
United States sought acceptance
of the Eric Johnston irrigation
plan but that "neither side"
could accept political conse-
quences of agreement to the
scheme that would be of mutual
benefit. He cited the Johnston
plan as an example of possible
development projects.
WASHINGTON. — President
Eisenhower said Wednesday
that a special session of the
United Nations General Assem-
bly should discuss not alone
Lebanon but the broader prob-
lems of the Near East and their
underlying causes.
Pointing out that the causes
of the present difficulty are
wider than the Lebanese situ-
ation, Eisenhower told a press
conference the United States
wants to discuss the whOle re-
gibnal situation.
He indicated it was not prac-
tical to discuss Lebanon alone.
The President said he would
attend the United Nations ses-
sion if he found it necessary or
desirable. He said the United
States believed in Arab nation-
alism and granted diplomatic
recognition to the United Arab
Republic because of this belief.
He stressed the need for im-
proved living standards in the
Arab world and urged legiti-
TEL AVIV, (JTA) — Robert
Mate economic development.
He felt it was desirable and Murphy, President Eisenhower's
wise to take a fresh look at such special representative in the
problems as Arab nationalism Middle East, conferred with
Premier David Ben-Gurion for
an hour and a quarter on a
"broad discussion of the Middle
Eastern situation."
The conference was held at
tory„ and any interference by
the Premier's residence in this
Israelis would be considered
city on July
an act of war."
31. Murphy
* *
was accompan-
A can of beer symbolized ied by United
States Ambas-
for many Britishers this week
the political and logistic iso- sador Edward
lation of Britain in the Middle B. Lawson and
Embassy coun-
East.
The report here that beer has selor W. Bax-
been rationed to one can a day ter. Ben-Guri-
for each of the 3,000 paratroop- on had For-
ers in Jordan has brought home eign Ministry
to the British public as no other officials at his
Murphy
single factor could have done elbow.
(The New York Times re-
the difficult position in which
the British find themselves in ported from Tel Aviv that ob-
servers there said Ben-Gurion
the Middle East now.
will probably ask President Ei-
While a Labor Party spokes- senhower's envoy to try to ar-
man called for a "complete re- range a meeting between him
appraisal" of British policy and and President Gamel Abdel
the Laborite London Daily Nasser of the United Arab Re-
Mirror editorially advised the public. The Israeli leader has
government to come to terms been pressing this request in
with Egyptian President Gamal his contacts with foreign diplo-
Abdel Nasser who is the "dom- mats, the report emphasized.)
inating Arab figure," and rule
Later, Murphy said that he
out armed intervention in the had brought Ben-Gurion the
Middle East, Tory backbenchers President's greetings but no let-
called for a "tough" policy to ter of a political nature.
compel Israel to provide transit
facilities for the supplies for Peru Raises Its Ministry
the British forces in Jordan.
In. Israel to Embassy;
A Foreign Office spokesman Israel Reciprocates
said Tuesday there had been no
LIMA, Peru. (JTA) — Is-
new developments with regard rael's Ministry here has been
to the airlift to Jordan, but raised to the status of Embassy,
indicated that some comment while this country's legation in
might be forthcoming after the Tel Aviv has been given similar
meeting of Prime Minister Har- status, according to an an-
old Macmillan and Israel Am- nouncement by the Foreign Of-
bassador Eliahu Elath.
fice.
British Tories Urge 'Get Tough' Against Israel
Direct JTA Teletype Wires
to The Jewish News
of U. S. munitions previously
shipped to that country.
On the chances of a direct
meeting of Israel with the Arabs,
Eban said Israel had always been
willing and that it was up to
the Arabs. A very grave threat
to Israel security would develop
in the event of Jordanian col-
lapse, Amabssador Eban said.
He would not answer hypotheti-
cal questions on possible Israeli
military measures in that con-
tingency.
Eban said he doubted whether
Israel - Arab differences were
really the main current prob-
lem in the region. He pointed
out there was no direct connec-
tion of Israel with recent de-
velopments in Lebanon, Jordan,
Iraq and the Sudan. He attri-
buted major current difficulties
to general anti-Western fer-
ment. .
Robert Murphy
Confers ivith B-G
CI