ARABS AND ISRAELIS

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31124, 29 July 1966, Page 14

ARABS AND ISRAELIS

Peace Thought Nearer Although sporadic border clashes continued, Jews and Arabs were, he thought, far closer to agreement, said Major J. L. Knowles in an interview yesterday. Major Knowles, who was a United Nations military liaison officer in Israel until recently, said the man in the street and, more particularly the businessman, was becoming impatient with the protracted discussions.

“They are more than interested in peace on both sides,” he said.

The basic aim of the United Nations had been to maintain the status quo and allow time to heal the gap between the nations. “I feel the United Nations is doing a wonderful job in that area,” he said. “A lot of its advances are not seen or heard of, but without its influence there would have been chaos.” One of the most notable things on the Arab side, said Major Knowles, was the decline in influence outside Egypt of President Nasser. This influence was gradually being replaced by that of King Hussein of Jordan and President Helou of the Lebanon. “There seems to be an importance to their statures much greater than the size of their countries seems to warrant,” he added. “Very possibly this is due to their more mature outlook.”

Major Knowles is returning to an appointment at Army Headquarters, Wellington.