Cease-fire in Palestine
Unless there is a last-minute hitch the four weeks' truce in Palestine comes into effect early on Friday. For this achievement Count Bernadotte deserves the thanks of the whole world ; his tact and firmness have reinforced the elements of common-sense in both the Arab and Jewish camps, which have recently been in danger of becoming swamped by the intransigence of public opinion behind the lines. The next stage of the mediator's task is a double one —to ensure that the truce is not broken and to prepare the way for a new agreement to come into effect after the truce comes to an end. He will have under his direct authority a number of American, Belgian and French officers, who will be able to investigate the charges of truce-breaking which are certain to arise on either side, and presumably he may count on the authority of the President and Government of Israel, as well as of the Arab Prime Ministers, to check any attempts at clandestine manoeuvring for military advan- tage. If the four weeks elapse without an open return toi
warfare there will be a very good case for giving the political status quo in Palestine a more permanent sanction. There are, of course, enormous difficulties in the way of such a solution. The Jews would have to give up some of the territory which the United Nations offered them, and the Arabs would have to accept the prospect of a Jewish State building up its wealth and population on their western seaboard. But, however distasteful this may be .for them, it is hard to see how they can hope to stop it. Nobody can pretend that any of the Arab armies, except the Arab Legion of Transjordan, has shown even the minimum of efficiency necessary for waging an offensive war, and King Abdullah would probably be content to devote his energies to restoring civil government to those parts of Palestine which the Arab Legion now occupies. In this task he might be joined by the Iraqis, so that an enlarged Hashimite kingdom might emerge as the bulwark against further Zionist expan- sion. Egypt, having occupied the Negev, will probably hold on to it. There are possibilities here making for peace. The forces in favour of war are still strong, but if Britain and. America can use their influence in his support, Count Bernadotte may yet be able to succeed where so many others have failed.
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