The Phoenix Jewish news., 1953-11-13
Capital Spotlight
Israel SoIonS
Stage
At US. Talks
BY Milton Friedman
Copyright, 1858, Jewish
TeleQranhic Agency. Incl

Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)
WASHINGTON-Ten members of
Israel'S Knesset Parliament) re-
Gently occupied the actual seats of
American congressman in the US.
House of Representatives. They sat
as members of the Israel delega-
ton to the Inter-Parliamentary
Union which met in the chamber
of the House while Congress was
not in session.
The Israel government sent as
many of it's Lawmakers as possible
to Washington so that they could
tell members of the paliaments of
other nations, including American
congressman, about Israel and it's
problems Meanwhile, they could
learn from their foreign colleagues.
Another purpose was the desire of
the Israelis to gain greater insight
into American Jewish life.
Israels delegation included men,
berS of all political factions repre-
sented in the KneSset, except the
Communist party. The delegation
had members of labor, religious,
right-Wing, and left-wing groups.
All members had an opportunity to
express themselves on the positions
Israel adopted toward the issues
which evolved in the course of the
conference. The conference dis
cuSsed such topics as the role of
parliaments in foreign affairs, the
right of people to self determine
ton, and the necessity and effect
of international technical assist
ance.
DESPITE THE FACT that Israel
was one of the smallest countries
represented, its delegation took the
virtual leadership of the Asian ma
tions. When Great Britain support
ed anti-zionist Pakistan for a seat
on the Unions governing council,
Israel threw its support to Thai
land. The seat was won by Thai
land.
This largely resulted from the
active role played by Israel and the
Jewish states close affiliation with
such nations as Burma and Japan.
In meetings of Far Eastern nations,
the counsel and cooperation of
Israel were eagerly sought.
Only countries having democratic
representative parliaments may be
admitted to the Union. Lebanon,
therefore, was the only Arab
League country represented here.
Dictators Naguib of Egypt and Shi-
Shekly of Syria feel that Parlia-
mentS representing the people are
unnecessary; after all, Naguib and
Shishekly believe they know what's
best for the people.
EMILE BUSTANI, a Lebanese
delegate, exploited the opportunity
to attack Israel in a speech which
criticized American support for
zioniSm. Mr.. Bustani, who once
practiced law in Haifa, said he had
suffered from the Jews because he
is an Arab. He characterized him.
self as poor Arab refugee who
was driven penniless from his home
by the zionists.
Actually Mr.. Bustani is a mil
lionaire and occupies one of the
most luxurious villas in Lebanon.
The only "help" he extends to Arab
refugees is to seek to enlist them
as cannon fodder for a new war
against Israel.
Lebanon invited the Union to
hold its next international meeting
in Beirut. At this point Israel'S
delegates took the floor. The Is
raelis pointed out that they would
be unable to attend because Leban-
eSe police would greet them on ar
rival and escort them to the local
Jail. The conference voted to re-
ject the Lebanese invitation. It
was decided to hold the 1854 meet
ing In Vienna where all delegations
would be welcome.
EPHRAIM AVRON, one of the
most capable officials of the Is
rael embassy, acted as secretary
and liaison officer for the group
while it was in Washington. He saw
to it that things went smoothly.
Ambassador Abba Eban rendered
a reception in honor of the Israelis
at his home. There they had an
opportunity to meet socially such
prominent American lawmakers as
Sen. Estes Kefauver.
The delegation was under the
Craftsmanship of zeev Shefer, Dep
lty Speaker of the Knesset Other
members were David Hacohen, Mrs. |
Beba Idelson, Mrs. Rachel Zabari,
Chain Ariav, George Flesch, Rabbi
Mordecai Nurock, Ishar Harari, Arie
Altman and Yitzchak Ben-Aharon.