Arab and jews

Sir: In 1967, a Labour study mission visited Israel, and subsequently wrote of that country as follows:

"What is it that Israel has achieved? In an area where democracy is unknown, Israel has created a society in which democratic freedom exists for all its citizens. Israel has conquered the desert not by force of arms, but by the efforts of free men." (Labour Studies Israel, published by the Labour Friends of Israel.) Since then Le Monde has written of the social order that Israel has created (March 16, 1970):

" It's always striking to note the external aspect of relations betwen responsible Israelis and Arabs; everything goes very simply, without a sign of obsequiousness or animosity on the part of the Arab officials. Liberty of speech is most certainly a key favourable factor. No one is embarrassed in saying what he thinks."

All these are not surprising comments, for the following statement on racial equality is enshrined in Israel's declaration of independence: " Israel will maintain complete equality of social and political rights for all its citizens without distinction of creed, race or sex. It will guarantee freedom of religion and conscience."

It is evident that Israel has established a fine liberal multiracial society. I should not imagine that the Israelis want (or expect) any kudos for all this. Contrariwise I should not imagine that they want (or deserve) the sort of rabid phraseology used by the Israeli Mr Amos in his most recent letter Nazis indeed . . when even his own vicious letter can be published abroad.

The late Sir Leslie Plummer MP described Israel as "the great example of man's humanity to man," to which I would only add may it always be precisely that with or without the unsavoury attacks of Mr Amos and Co.

Morris Gershlick 29 The Drive, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex

Sir: Yet again Deir Yassin is cited (by General Sir Horatius Murray, September 4) as having inspired the flight of the Palestinian Arabs. But months before, in January 1948, the High Commissioner had himself reported a considerable emibration of Arabs, principally of the middle and propertied class.

They had been plainly told that, as soon as the British left, and the UN partition plan adopted in November 1947 was nominally in effect, the armies of the surrounding Arab states would move in and deal with the Jews, and they had no reason to doubt the outcome.

A fully documented account is given by Christopher Sykes in Cross Roads to Israel (Collins, 1965).

J. Jackson. 58 The Ridings, London W5

From General Sir Horatius Murray Sir: Mr F. Allen (Letters, September 18) would appear to have misconstrued the two letters I wrote regarding the Jewish/Arab confrontation in 1948.

I wrote in respect of the period when we still held the Mandate and it was to do with the Jew, and the Palestinian Arab. They were concerned also primarily with the Coastal Plain.

Although the Arab Legion was already in the country before we gave up the Mandate, being located on the high ground, it was impossible for it to intervene as long as we were there. The Palestinian Arab therefore had to rely upon his own inadequate resources; the Arab Irregulars made no impression at all. As regards the Arab armies 'pouring into Palestine' after we left, they were of very low military worth. The only ' worthwhile ' enemy was, therefore, the Arab Legion. The Jewish campaign against the Jordanian Army was launched later on in 1948 with the main purpose of capturing Jerusalem. They had no difficulty in containing the Egyptian and Syrian armies while so doing. Their attacks were repulsed with heavy losses. They demonstrated that even by the summer of 1948 the Jews had the equipment and fighting ability to take on, in very difficult country, such a powerful and well trained force as the Arab Legion itself, and was a startling demonstration of the readiness of the Jews for this war.

All of this has nothing to do with the ruthless measures adopted by the Jews in forcing tens of thousands of Palestinian Arabs out of their homes, well before we gave up the Mandate, and pushing them out of their country in complete disregard of the Balfour Declaration. It was clearly . a necessary preliminary to taking over altogether. History will show how many of the dispossessed Palestinian Arabs, amounting to over a million, will return to their homes as first Class citizens in the National Home for the Jews. It is a little naive to El3sume that anything done can amount to more than a feeble gesture to appease world opinion. With extensive resettlement of existing Jewish families, and the plans for more immigrants the prospects grow yearly less.

Horatius Murray Home Farm House, Madehurst, Arundel, Sussex

This correspondence is now closed — Editor, The Spectator.