May 26, 1948 Arabs Urge Action By Security Council

Arabs Urge Action By Security Council – But Say Any U. N. Move Must Bar Jewish Arms Imports, Immigration

LAKE SUCCESS, L. I, May 26, 1948.-The Arab states rejected tonight the United Nations Security Council’s latest plea for a Palestine truce, and said they could not consider cessation of hostilities unless the Council would stop Jewish immigration, arms imports and efforts toward building the Jewish state of Israel.

In demanding Jewish military and political capitulation as the price for the silencing of Arab guns, the Arab states delivered to the Security Council a message that was interpreted by some as an ultimatum to the Council to produce within forty-eight hours a new Palestine plan acceptable to the Arabs.

It was Dr. Nagy El Asil, of Iraq, speaking on behalf of all the Arab states, who delivered the main Arab address tonight and who called for assurances to block the Zionist program before the Arabs could agree to lay down their arms and return their “armies to their countries of origin.”

When Dr. El. Asil had finished speaking, Aubrey S. Eban, of Israel, replied charging the Arabs with a “flat and defiant” rejection of the Council’s cease-fire appeal. Mr. Eban said:

“IF THE ARAB STATES WANTED PEACE WITH ISRAEL, THEY COULD HAVE HAD IT.  IF THEY WANT WAR, THEY CAN HAVE THAT, TOO.  BUT THE ARAB STATES MISUNDERSTOOD THEIR OWN POSITION PROFOUNDLY IF THEY IMAGINE THAT HAVING FAILED TO DEFEAT ISRAEL IN WAR THEY CAN PERSUADE IT TO COMMIT SUICIDE FOR THE SAKE OF PEACE.”

Then Mahmoud Bey Fawzi, of Egypt, became the first Arab delegate to speak. Egypt, he said, wouldn’t hesitate to observe the truce plea if it would do any good. But, he explained, during such a truce the Jews would continue importing arms and immigrants and soon fighting would break out again.

Egypt could consider a ceasefire in Palestine, Mr. Fawzi said, if the Security Council would curb Jewish immigration and arms imports and take some action to prevent other countries from giving material support to the “Jewish terrorists.”

Source: Rogers, John G. “Arabs Urge Action By Security Council – But Say Any U. N. Move Must Bar Jewish Arms Imports, Immigration.”  New York Herald Tribune, May 27, 1948.