ISRAEL CENSURES BRITAIN

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27445, 3 September 1954, Page 11

ISRAEL CENSURES BRITAIN

Effect Of Suez Canal Agreement (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) JERUSALEM, September 1. The Israeli Cabinet today approved by an overwhelming majority a policy statement which included censure of Britain for “ignoring the existence of Israel when concluding the Suez Canal agreement” with Egypt. By 54 votes to nine, with seven abstentions, it approved Israel’s policy on measures to be taken to prevent the supply of arms to Arab States by the Western Powers, and called for a strengthening of Israeli forces. Mr Moshe Sharrett, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, blamed differences among Israel, Britain and the United States on the Western Powers’ “support for aggressors.”

He again proposed peace to the Arab States, but warned them against any attempt to use force against Israel. “There will be no peace in the Middle East without Israel or at Israel’s expense,” he declared. During the two-day debate there was general unanimity of opinion among the various Parliamentary factions against rearming the Arabs. > Extreme Leftists and Communists called for the severance of ties with the Western Powers, while the Right Wing Freedom movement (founded by the Irgun Zwai Leumi) called for war against Egypt. Tbday’s resolution also called on Jewish communities abroad to come to Israel’s aid and support its political struggle.