Evening star., 1950-12-09
Arabs in Middle East
More Militant Than
Political Leaders
Relations With West
Affected by Council
Attitude Toward u. N.
By Dorothy THOMPSON

tion is as unanimously maintained
by the governments and popula.
tions of the Arab states as the
opposite opinion is maintained by
Israel. If there are Arabs al
present friendly to Israel or te
Western policy I have found none
despite great efforts. This is g
matter of important political fact
coloring all relations between the
Middle East and West.
There are variations of Arab
opinion-where privately express
sed. The most realistic acknowl-
edge with frustrated resignation)
the improbability that the Arat
population displaced from PaleS-
tine, which numbers nearly four
f1fths of the entire Arab popula-
ton, will receive United Nations
support for their rehabilitation tc
their homes. These are by now
convinced that the United Ma
tions partition plan of November
1947 or subsequent U. N. resolu-
tions for the protection of Arat
territorial, property, and civil
rights, will never be wholly en-
forced. These "realists" look
forward to compromise especially
on property compensation, and
await the development of history
Cynical Attitude.
But these do not differ from
others on the justice of the situa-
ton, which the United Nations has
solemnly acknowledged. And the
failure of the United Nations to
implement its own resolutions has
created a cynical attitude toward
the great powers in general. Arabs
remark that the great powers
have a double standard of morals;
that they enforce U. N. decisions
(as in Korea) only when it brings
no controversial issue into their
internal politics.
Furthermore, Arabs do not ac-
cept for a moment that they were
aggressors in Palestine. In Arab
eyes, both the concept and the
realization of a Jewish state were
external interference-the way
for it was paved initially by Great
Britain and it's realization was
made possible by the United States
with the wishes of the native Arabs
disregarded by all. The idea,
they argue, did not originate
among Palestinian Jews or in the
Middle East, with whom they had
lived on good terms for CEN
turieS but in Europe and America;
the establishment of a state was
made possible by colonization un-
der foreign protection, and the
Palestinian Arabs and their SYM
pathizers were as justified in try
ing to prevent it as the Indo-
nesians were justified in claiming
and enforcing 1ndonesia for the
1ndonesians.
They reiterate that the q. N.
partition boundaries have not
been observed. that the u. N.
resolution that all Arabs who fled
from their homes should be al
lowed to return. and be restored
their properties, has not been i'm
plemented: and that all attempts
to negotiate compensation for the
dispossessed founder on the de-
mand that the Arabs must first
make peace" with Israel.
Aware Of Red Danger.
The Arab states are too realis-
tic. too aware of the danger from
Russia. and know too well that
Israel would have the support
of Britain. France and the United
States under the three-power
agreement of last May in case of
attack to undertake a military
adventure against Israel. When,
however, one reminds Arab ac-
quaintances that the three-power
agreement equally protects the
Arab states against eXpansionist
aggression by Israel, they ask
skeptically, why should we think
that anything. ever. will be en-
forced in Palestine? Why not
begin by enforcing the existing
resolutions? If these are dead
letters, why would not the newest
agreement become the same, in
a showdown" So all conversa-
tionS move in a circle.
The United States, Britain and
France want peace between Israel
and the states Of the Arab league
because political and economic
stability are highly desirable in
this critical area. BY peace they
mean the establishment of normal
diplomatic and trade relations.
But Arab leaders and people say
coolly that even the weak can
exercise passive resistance In
Beirut a gentle and refined Arab
woman. a Quaker and pacifist,
thoroughly approved the economic
boycott Of the Arab league against
Israel, On the ground that it emu
lated the teachings of Gandhi.
1--WE won't make war;" she said,
"but we simply won't have any,
thing to do with Israel until the
rights Of the Arab population are
recognized. And not all the great
powers in the world can make us
do So"
I am not sure this attitude will
continue. am only sure it rep
resents the least militant attitude
of the articulate Arab population
today.
And, If anything, the population
Is more militant than the politi-
cal leaders.
tReleased by the Bell Syndicate. 1nc)
Hiss Asks Bail Continued
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