§ 15. Mr. Zilliacusasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will draw the attention of the Arab States concerned to the fact that their maintenance of a state of war with Israel, after their being condemned as aggressors by the Security Council, must be ended unconditionally before British services as a mediator can be offered on terms consistent with the United Nations Charter.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanNo, Sir. The Charter of the United Nations does not preclude an offer of mediation whatever the circumstances of the dispute.
§ Mr. ZilliacusIs not the Foreign Secretary aware that the United Nations Security Council, on 15th July, 1948, passed a Resolution pointing out that Israel had accepted, and the Arab States had rejected, the proposals of the Security Council to prolong the truce; that the subsequent renewal of hostilities constituted a threat to peace within the meaning of Article 39 of the Charter; moreover, that under Article 2, paragraph 4 of the Charter, Member States are not allowed to negotiate under the threat of aggression; and is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is a danger lest, under the guise of mediation, we may be trying to make the State of Israel give up part of her territory in exchange for the Arab States ending the state of war and the blockade which they are maintaining in disregard of the Charter?
§ Mr. MacmillanThat is a long supplementary question covering a large number of questions. I will content myself by saying that it is unfortunately true 365 that both parties to this dispute have on different occasions ignored Resolutions of the Security Council, but it does not help to apportion praise or blame between the parties. Our object is to try to get them to settle their differences.