Words and Action

Political partition with continuing economic unity, long thought the soundest solution to the knotty Palestine problem, has received definitive backing from the 11-nation UN Special Committee. This sixth, and, it is hoped, last Holy Land report since 1937, now awaits immediate General Assembly action to implement it, meet British withdrawal qualifications, and maintain Palestinian tranquillity.

The Committee majority report, which has merited and received most unofficial, pre-assembly member nation support, designates the central coast line, northern industrial sector, and southern desert as Jewish. To the Arabs will go the northern interior ber nation support, designates the central coast line, would remain indivisible, with the frank recognition that Jewish taxes would, in large part, support the Arab area. With the transition period tentatively set at two years, it is urged that 150,000 Jewish refugees be admitted immediately, with another 60,000 per year to come in during the remainder of the period.

Until now the chief stumbling block, Great Britain has decided that her present method of safe-guarding Middle Eastern oil is too costly. She is prepared to discard her mandate if the UN or some other group assumes the burdens of immigration and partition. Belligerently sprawled across the last lap is the Arab League, spewing forth a strange variety of threats, the largest of which is a warning that all Arab economic and cultural ties with the West will be severed at the outset of partition. This threat rings hollow because the financial and industrial concessions granted by the West in exchange for Arab oil and air rights are the very life blood of the dynasties masking as the Arab League. Further, any Arab withdrawal from the UN would leave the Egyptian complaint against Great Britain, now pending, hanging in outer space.

In terms of physical force, the Jews appear well able to fare for themselves on the basis of their World War II record alone. But more important, the moral, economic, and physical weight of the UN will lie directly behind partition. However, Arab threats are not considered too serious. Sections of the majority report urging economic settlement with them will, in time, have a very healing effect.

But far too many fine reports and free opinions have been written into the pages of modern Palestinian history. The General Assembly has a fair and workable plan and should put it to work within the next eight weeks.