In place of thousands of tents which dotted the countryside. modern stonebuilt villages have risen. There has also been a considerable amount of vocational training. and a considerable amount of schooling. In short. it is clear that to describe the Arab refugees as the key issue in the conflict between the Arabs and Israel constitutes an oversimplification of the Near East situation. The Arab States regard them as a political asset to be used against Israel and have not shown any willingness to cooperate toward a settlement or to accept anything short of the liquidation of Israel. and of course they constitute a problem of a fifth column nature. On the other hand. Israel has offered to compensate Arab refugees for property which they left in Israel. and has started to release blocked bank accounts of the refugees. The important thing is that Israel. I am convinced. would repatriate a fair number of Arab refugees. It has already repatriated 50.000. so that these people might join their families in Israel. People often forget that about 15 percent of the population of Israel is Arab. Therefore. it is likely that Israel will repatriate a reasonable number of these refugees. Statements as to the exact number. are. of course. in the realm of speculation. For myself. I believe that it may be 50.000. or perhaps as much as a hundred thousand. However. any concept of opening the door wide to the repatriation of the refugees. which could be used by Arab demagogs and agitators to inundate this small State of Israel. would be extremely dangerous and run directly contrary to American policy. Therefore. what should be our policy with respect to this subject now. I believe very clearly the United Nations Agency is to be continued. with our support and with the support of the United Kingdom. I believe a much better climate is needed in the Near East. If real progress is to be made on the Arab refugee program. a much better climate must be established. and we can help establish it if we remain constant in our refusal to condone discrimination against Americans by the Arab States. These discriminations are now being carried on. In addition to that. by way of policy.
Identified stereotypes
The Arab States regard them as a political asset to be used against Israel and have not shown any willingness to cooperate toward a settlement or to accept anything short of the liquidation of Israel. and of course they constitute a problem of a fifth column nature.