Israel and the Arab League
Tension continues to grow along Israel's frontiers. Few weeks pass without providing one or two ugly incidents to remind the world that there is still no peace, or prospect of peace, between Israel and its Arab neighbours. The declared intention of the Arab States is still the eradication of Israel, and that no doubt is one reason why the Jewish forces on the border should be so quick on the trigger. But how is Jordan, struggling under the burden of its vast refugee problem, to watch every yard of the long frontier to prevent Arabs from crossing illegally into Israel? Israel's fears are increased by the coming transfer of the Canal Zone installations to Egypt, and there is bitterness against Britain for negotiating the agree- ment without reference to Egypt's continuing refusal to allow shipping bound for Israel through the Canal. There is bitter- ness against America also for its arming of Iraq, its promises of military aid to Egypt, and the more recent statement that all Arab States which wish American arms can have them. " By the sword we won our land; by the sword we hold it still." This remains Israel's position. At the moment it is a match for its neighbours. But what will the situation be in a year or two? This is the question preoccupying the Israeli leaders, who believe that Anglo-American restraint on the Arab League can operate only so long as it is not strong enough to destroy Israel in a lightning war. The longer Britain and America refrain from asserting their influence strongly in the question of Arab-Jewish relations, the more dangerous will the situation grow. If the Jews grow desperate it will be harder for their leaders to restrain the advocates of a preventive war. The fear of this can only hasten Arab preparations. Without the firm intervention of Anglo-American diplomacy a race that can only end in ruin will be well on the way.
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