"Bungling" Of Palestine Problem

Chronicle (Levin), 27 January 1949, Page 5

"Bungling" Of Palestine Problem

N.Z.P.A. -

-Reuter.

Signs Of First Serious Cleavage

Covyright )

Received Thursday, 11.10 a.m. LONDON, January 26. The Opposition Leader, Mr. '"Churchill, attacked the Foreign Secretary, MrFBevin's, "astounding mishandling" of the Palestine problem when the debate on the subject opened in the House of 'Commons today. Every opportunity for obtaining a satisfaetory settlement was thrown away imme'diately after the war, he Said. "We feel that Mr. Bevin's bungling is so gross and glaring that we would be failing in our duty if we did not expose it.- We shall support our criticism in the lobbles." If the -Conservatives demand a division, they are likely to be joined by a number of Liberals in this first serious cleavage between the Government and the Opposition on foreign affairs.

Mr. Churchill said that the Government was always one or two, and sometimes three, .steps behind the march of events. Mr. Bevin, had never had the slightest appreciation of Palestine problems. "I am quite sure that he will have to recognise the Israeli Government and that cannot long be delayed. We have so managed our affairs as to find ourselves on the opposite side to America and Russia, and from Palestine settlers and their Zionist supporters all over the world, without doing the slightest service to the Arabs. "I hope, having gone to Akaba, that we will stay there and keep an , ample margin of force there until the whole question has been finally decided by the United Nations, and until their award has been accept-' ed and obeyed by both the Jews and Arabs." Mr. Bevin, who opened the debate, vigorously defended the Palestine policy. Britain was obliged to maintain her Middle East security and stability, he said. "We have always supported the Security Council's resolutions about the Palestine dispute. From that policy the Government will not be deterred. , "For long the United States of America and ourselves have agreed on a basic Middle East policy. The fact that we have from time to time differed on the best means of achieving peace and a lasting settlement does not affect our basic aims. There has been a danger that the Middle East might become a second Balkan area, a scene of international rivalry. "We are determined to do all in our power to prevent this happening and we will work in close cooperation with the United States," Mr. Bevin eontinued. "The Balfour . Declaration promised the same thing to the two peoples. If the burden is difficult now it is because the statesmen of fthose days did not face the problem fearlessly and resolutely. Finally, I think the Arabs have a cause which has got to be considered. I don't think they can just be dismissed because 1 of this development. They havel for long been friends of Britainand I am not the Foreign Secretary who is going to make a start in forgetting old friends."