CONTROL OF JERUSALEM

Chronicle (Levin), 7 May 1949, Page 5

CONTROL OF JERUSALEM

(N.Z.P.A.

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Internationalisaticn Opposed By Israei

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Eficei.ved. Friday, 7.35 p.m.. NEW YORK, May 5. Israei today rejeeted the complete internationalisation of Jerusalem and proposed instead a nominaj international regime wh.ich would have no direct powers of government and would be restrieted to the proteetion of the holy. pla.ces. Mr. Aubrey Eban, Israeli representative, made the proposal to the United Xations General Assembly ad hoc committee. He argued. that sin.ce the General Assembly decided in November 1947 on the internationalisation of the whole city eonditions had changed con siderably and the General Assembly no w could not "reverse the clock oi history. ' ' Mr. Eban said Israei would agree to plaee the holy plaees outside Jerusalem also under international eontrol ano would support the proteetion of the saered plaees and f'ree accesss. to them. Israei was prepared to offer full safeguards and guarantees for the seeuritv of religious institutions in the exefcise of their functions, and would contmui efforts to repair damage inflicted on religious buildings and sites during tlu Palestine fighting. Israei would also eontinue to seek agreements with the Arabs for the maintenance and preservation of peace and the reopening of blocked access into and within Jerusalem. Mr. Eban said the plight of the Arai refugees was entirely due to the wai launched by the Arab States them selves. Israei believed a solution would, be to re-settie the refugees in tht neighbouring areas where they would live under a government akin to then in spirit and tradition. Mr. Charles Malik (Lebanon) said the eontinued dispersion of about one million Arab refugees in the neighbouring Arab States would not fail to eause political, social, economic and spiritua disturbances in the Near East for years to come. He said the territory of Israei now exceeded the territory allotted to' it by United Xations, and there was every indication that the Israeb authorities had no intention of givin;. up any of it. Mr. Malik said the decision to admi Israei to United Xations membershi] was a "virtual surrendel' of Jerusalem, the holy city of three great world 4'eli gions, to secular representatives of one such religion as well as a revocation Oi the decision of the General Assemol' in favour of the fait aceompli wherewith Israei faces United Xations.'"