Speech #850266785

I shall not try to weigh those two statements in the balance. and personally say which of the two is the more valid. What I do wish at this time to call attention to is two paragraphs in my speech of yesterday. As nearly as I can understand the contentions of the Government of Israel. it is that most of these lands were voluntarily abandoned but that the Government stands ready. and has announced that it stands ready. to recognize the rights of the refugees practically in the terms demanded by the Arab governments. My statement of those terms was derived from the foreign minister of one of those governments. Let me say that they were substantially what the Senator from New York says Israel is willing to do. In other words. the expressed points of view suggest a complete meeting of minds as to a definition of policy with regard to the refugees. Since it Is the contention of the Arab governments that these demands have been refused. we find ourselves immersed in that smog to which I referred earlier. This smog must be cleared away.