Speech #850010127

We would be making a serious blunder if we remained idle while the Egyptians and the United Nations turned the clock back to October 28. Egypt should not go back into the Gaza Strip. While I am not prepared to say what the ultimate fate of that Strip should be. we should keep in mind that it has been the scene of stark poverty and misery for 8 years because neither Egypt nor the other Arab States have done anything to help solve the plight of the Arab refugees. To permit Egypt to go back into Gaza is to perpetuate a waste of human life. It would be in the best interests of all if the Israelis remained in control of Gaza along with the United Nations. We might then see some positive steps forward to a resettlement of at least a part of the Arab refugees. The other crucial issue is the Gulf of Aqaba. Events of the last few weeks have demonstrated how Egyptian control of the Suez Canal can mean life or death to the economies of the nations of Western Europe.