THE ARAB STATES AND ISRAEL
Sta.—Mr. Hodgkin's excellent review, of conditions among the Arab League Powers would surely have been of even greater value had he looked at the realities of the present day. Israel is a State in the Fertile Crescent ; but if she had hopes of becoming " an active aggressive force again " and about this he seems to feel no bne has any doubts—she would not have sought peace treaties with all the Arab Powers, nor closer relations with Britain, nor even membership of the United Nations. At present she is in the clutches of inflation, is supporting a large number of unemployed, and has one of the most serious housing problems in the world. In addition to all this a severe adverse balance of trade necessi- tates an austerity regime forcing comparison with social conditions in Britain rather than anywhere else. Is this the kind of country to undertake an aggressive war ?
The allegation is as hollow as the one which New Times and Pravda frequently make regarding Britain's intentions. It would be better if the Arab Powers, chastened by their recent military disaster, were encouraged by British friends to see in Israel not a military threat but rather a social warning. A State that acts and talks like a modern nation has been born in their midst. Its problems are the problems of modern times—social insurance, revitalisation of the stricken soil, development of industry ; and the Arabs themselves should stop dreaming of a knight in shining armour, and instead get down to the task of catching up on the centuries lost, and making the fellah's life worth living.—Yours faithfully, 783 Finchley Road, Golder's Green, N.W.ii. BARNET LITVINOFF.
Previous page
