Israel Swings Toward Soviet

Chronicle (Levin), 7 August 1948, Page 5

Israel Swings Toward Soviet

(N.Z.P.A.-

-Reuter

Cogyrtght)

• Eeceiyed Friday, 8.50 p.m. LQNDON, August 6. The correspoudent oi the Europeau edition of the New York Herald-Tribune, in a message i'rom Tel Aviv, says throug'h its eonsistent espousal oi Israel 's case iti United Nations and its willingness to supply arms to the Jewisl^ iorees, Soyiet liussia has greatly enhaneed its prestige in the new Jewish State. It is well known, says the correspondent, that tlie Jews made some of their most important arins purehases through the Eussian satelllte Czeehosloyakia, and the Jews know that these arms would never have been sold to them it' Eussia had not given the word. It would be inaccurate, says the correspondent, to pretend that Israel has swung itsell into the Eussian orbit, but it musf he recognised that Eussian influenee has greatly increased as the result, of receut events. The Hebrew press is full of editorials praising Eussia and in recent months has carelully rel'rained. from printing anyihing derogatory to the Soviet The importance oi this Jewish sympathy for Eussia, ecncludes the correspondent, must not be underrated beeause, incredible as it may have scemed six months ago, the Jews .of Palestine are today a Iront rank military power in the Middle East. The prejudice in favour oi Eussia they are now developing may colour the future oi' the .Middle East for years after the t Arab- Jewish confliet has been settled. «