In November. 1962. Mrs. Golda Meir. then Israels foreign minister. suggested that her country would be willing to negotiate a compensation settlement for the Arab refugeesbut only as part of a package deal for a general peace agreement to replace the shattered armistice of 1949. That proposal should be urgently revived now. The Progressive does not suggest that Israel take back all. or nearly all. of the refugees who fled or were expelled two decades ago. This would place an intolerable strain on this tiny countrys precarious economy. and it would. moreover. create a critical security problem for Israelwith a million or so dissident. revengeminded Arabs on her soil. Reasonable compensation to the refugees would enable them to resettle permanently on the friendly soil of their Arab cousins. Three. This time. unlike 1956. both sides should be obliged to accept a substantial and effective United Nations presence on their borders or in neutral. demilitarized zonesat least until tempers cool and passions subside.
Identified stereotypes
Suggests that Arab refugees would be dissident and revenge-minded if allowed to return to Israel.