Evening star., 1948-05-16
The State of Israel

The State OF Israel
There is great deal to be said against
the past gyrations and topsy-turvy han
ding of American policy regarding Pales-
tine. But that aspect of the situation Is
completely overshadowed at the moment.
It is overshadowed by the swift and
dramatic decision of the United States
Government to take the lead among III
nations in recognizing the new Jewish
State of Israel. 1t is wise decision and
a heartening one, for 1t holds out at least
the hope that now-if most other countries
follow suit-the tortured Holy Land may
be rescued from all-out warfare and set
on the road toward genuinely bright
and peaceful future.
The new State of Israel-the fulillment
of an ancient dream among the Jews
of the world-roughly corresponds to the
territory recommended for it when the
General Assembly voted for partition last
November. AS proclaimed by its Zionist
founding fathers, it Is to be democracy
in the true sense of that much-abused
word, land adhering to the principles
of freedom and justice and governing
itself in accord with the Charter of the
United Nations 1t is for this reason, as
much as for the reason that it already
exists as an accomplished fact, that Pres
ident Truman and the State Department
are on altogether sound ground In recog-
nizing its provisional government as the
de facto authority. 1t is for this reason,
too, that similar recognition from other
members of the q. N. ought to be forth
coming in fairly rapid order.
It would be extremely over wtshful, Of
course, to expect that the newborn nation
OF Israel will enjoy painless infancy. The
Arab League countries have declared war
upon it and parts Of their armies are
~reportedly engaged in invading 1t. The
Hagana-the Jewish militia-is a we'll
trained fighting force; it is better than
any the Arabs can send in the field, with
the possible exception Of King Abdullah's
Trans-Jordan Legion. Nevertheless, If
Moslem public opinion is as inf1amed as
some say; protracted struggle of great
violence may ensue and the repercussions
may be worldwide. The mere fact that
we have recognized the new State-a deci-
sion very apt to create bitter anti-American
feelings among the Arabs-cannot of itself
avert an explosion If passions run wild
The worst can still happen, and 1t would
be foolhardy not to reckon with that
possibility
The situation, however, involves num-
Der Of hopeful factors. For one thing, the
unity Of the Arab League countries is very
questionable. For another, their armies
do not seem to be formidable, and consid-
erations of domestic security argue against
committing them fully to an invasion of
Israel. Above all-and this is of key i'm
portance-if Russia, Britain, France and a
majority of the United Nations now join
with us in recognizing the new state, the
Arabs will be placed in the position of
aggressors If they persist in attacking it.
And that would mean their indictment in
the u N, possible action against them by
the Security Council and probably the lift
ing OF our embargo on the shipment Of
arms to the Middle East.
Senator Vandenberg has summed up this
point most effectively. Describing Amer
lean recognition as "a logical and proper
STEP" he has put his finger on the heart
of the matter with these words: IF the
present course of the United States is fol-
lowed by other governments, am unable
to believe that the parties in controversy
cannot be successfully summoned to the
bar of the United Nations in behalf of an
urgent truce" Along with recognizing
Israel, the President has emphasized that
the effort for such truce will continue.
If the u N. majority falls in line with our
lead, what can the Arabs gain by waging
war? What good can they do themselves,
economically, politically and otherwise, by
standing alone in their determination to
fight rather than seek peace?
Viewed in this light-as move calcu-
lated to encourage worldwide recognition
of Israel-our American action stands out
as decision giving real promise of easing
the crisis in the Holy Land. Certainly, it
is not likely to intensity that crisis. Ad-
mittedly 1t involves big and fateful "if"--
the 'if" of what Russia and the other
powers propose to do. Assuming the best,
however, assuming that our lead will be
followed generally, the U. N. will have the
best chance it has had to date to establish
a lasting peace in partitioned Palestine.
Given that, plus the good will and prayers
of free men everywhere, young Israel, with
out impinging on the rights Of the Arabs,
will be able to look forward to happy and
constructive place in the family of nations
Five Civilized Tribes Stamp
Congress having passed and President
PYS.... IL It'd.