Speech #900103488

There will be ample justification for such a course. If the United States is to be consistent with its alleged and long valid position as a defender of freedom and democracy. it should make unequivocally clear in the Middle East that it supports democratic Israel in its aspiration for peace and permanence and the recognition by Israels neighbors that the nation that is Israel not only exists but is there to stay. Israels victory brought to the fore in an urgent manner the problem of the Arab refugees. This problem should have been of urgent import to the nations of the world all during these years while the Arab nations deliberately fanned the fires of hate in hearts of the refugees rather than working diligently at the immense problems of their resettlement and retraining. Actually the Arab nations have deliberately fought against the resettlement of the Arab refugees. preferIng to keep them as exhibits for propaganda purposes and as a constant threat on the very borders of Israel. Through the United Nations the United States and other nations have expended millions upon millions of dollars on the maintenance of the refugees while the Arab countries have constantly thrown roadblocks in the way of their rehabilitation. A realistic resolution of the refugee problem must be an integral part of any peace settlement between Israel and the Arab countries. However. pending such a peace settlement. Israel has a major task in governing the 700.000 refugees within the lands it now occupies since its victory. and In providing for their education. food. shelter. and clothing. If the intransigence of the Arab nations with respect to making peace with Israel continues for any great length of time Israel will also have the task of the settlement of these refugees and of their training so that they may support themselves. In this Israel will need financial help from the free worldand it should receive it in amounts sufficient to enable it to do an excellent job of rehabilitating the Arab refugees. I ask unanimous consent to include Micheners article in Look magazine. an editorial from the New York Times. excerpts from Randolph and Winston Churchills book "The 6Day War" covered in the July 30. 1967. issue of the Washington Post. Robert Dietschs article in the July 26. 1967.