47

In expressing the " deep sense of failure " felt by the Israeli Government because of the negative results of the investigation regarding the assassination of Count Bernadotte, the representative of Israel promised that all possible efforts would be made to discover and punish the assassins. Finally Mr Eban declared that the solution of all problems existing in Palestine would be made easier by the admission of Israel into the United Nations. It was a cynical manoeuvre on the part of the Arab States to oppose Israel's admission on the grounds that Israel had not complied with Assembly resolutions since that was placing Israel in the position of "one who, having been attacked,in a dark street by seven men with heavy bludgeons, finds himself dragged into Court only to see his assailants sitting on the bench with an air of solemn virtue, delivering homilies on the duties of a peaceful citizen." In spite of the assurances given by the Israeli representative, there were still a considerable number of members of the Committee who felt that Israel should go further towards the acceptance of — {a) The principle of the internationalization of Jerusalem, and (b) The principle that all Arab refugees who wished to return to their homes should be permitted to do so. On the other hand, a majority of delegations (including that of New Zealand) considered that the responsibility for the solution of outstanding problems in Palestine lay with the Conciliation Commission created by the resolution of 11 December, 1948 and with the interested parties, and not with the General Assembly at its current session. The Assembly would be able to discuss the substantive aspects of the Palestine settlement at its fourth session and meanwhile Israel should be admitted to membership since that State met the requirements of Article 4 of the Charter. Thus when the Lebanese proposal to defer the application till the fourth session was put to the vote it was rejected by 19 in favour with 25 (N.Z.) against and 12 abstentions. The Committee then adopted, by 33 votes (N.Z.) to 11 with 13 abstentions, a joint seven Power resolution which, after noting the statements and explanations of the Israeli representative regarding the implementation of previous Assembly resolutions with respect to Palestine, recommended that Israel be admitted to the United Nations as a " peace-loving State which accepts the obligations contained in the Charter and is able and willing to carry out those obligations." When the recommendation of the ad hoc Committee came before the Assembly the Arab States again violently attacked .the admission of Israel to membership, declaring that such a step would " drive another nail into the coffin of the United Nations " and that it would be an "" everlasting shame and humiliation to the Assembly."