Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-02-23
IsroeI's Position

~ OCt VStIIOH
The action of our Govern
ment in demanding the with
drawal Of Israel from her
present positions in GAIA and
Sinai is truly amazing from a
moral viewpoint. as a brief
review Of well-known facts will
disclose.
Since Israel was established
as a state by the United
Nations, with the full support
Of the United States, Egypt
has not ceased to plot her
destruction. Egypt has plainly
declared her intention to de-
stroy Israel. and has in the
last year received powerful
military support from Com
munist Russia. Egypt is avow-
eddy in a state of war against
Israel and has not ceased to
carry on acts of aggression
against Israel, including block
aiding her ships from the Suez
Canal and the Gulf of Aqaba,
thus cutting off her foreign
trade from those international
waterways. All that Israel has
done since the Suez incident
was to act defenSively to repel
aggression. Her present posi-
tons are purely defensive.
And yet we have the amaz-
ing spectacle of our Govern
ment siding with Communist
Russia in demanding the with
drawal Of Israel from her pres
ent defensive positions and
leave herself again open to
attack and possible destruction.
without any firm guarantees
from either this Government
or the United Nations against
further attack. The fact that
the United Nations is also de-
manding the withdrawal OF
Israel from her defensive posi-
tons is only indicative Of a
lack Of international morality.
And the most disheartening
feature OF all is TO see our
Governme nt. professedly
moved by high moral prin-
ciples. taking sides with the
un-Christian forces OF the
world and practically acqui-
escing in the destruction OF
the only country in the Middle
East standing for Western
principles of democracy. Truly
Israel is as a lamb among
international wolves.
Samuel r. Bauer.
II appears that the United
States is losing patience with
tiny Israel and will recommend
sanctions against her. 1t will
be done reluctantly. of course.
like a father chastising his
son. claiming that. 1T hurts
me more than it does you"
Let us consider for a mo-
ment how we would feel II
Russia invaded our American
ports. strangling shipping, and
sending her modern-day Cos
sacks" in the dead OF night
to murder our women and
children.
Wasn't there one who came
from the Jewish faith who
said, in effect, do unto others
as you would have them do
unto you?
b. Blumenthal.
Your February II editorial.
"Israel's Gamble" is based on
the premise. as / see it. that
If Israel does not comply with
the U. N. resolution to with
draw her troops. then she is
gambling with her future.
Shall Israel gamble on the
promises made to her that in
return for withdrawal Of her
troops from the Gulf of Aqaba
and the GAIA Strip she will be
assured free passage OF her
ships and a cessation OF raids
on her territory? On the basis
OF what has happened in the
last five years. can Israel put
faith in any assurances made
by Egypt The most important
ingredient of faith is expert
ence; and the experience of the
1913 armistice and the resolu-
tions Of the u. N. concerning
the blockade of the Suez Canal
10 the state OF Israel gives
very little ground, If any. for
the faith which Israel is being
asked to give.
Or, should Israel gamble by
sticking to her demands which
are legally and morally sound
and be assured of her sur
vival? To do otherwise would
mean. / feel. either national
suicide or an invitation to
war.
Russia, India and Egypt
have laughed up their sleeve
when asked to comply with
the U. N. resolutions. Promises
made by the present admins
tration on future assurances
TO the state OF Israel, do not