SIR,—By a single bold and imaginative stroke of statesmanship we
could upset the Nasser apple-cart, confound the Soviet intriguers and refill the so- called 'vacuum.' If we have the courage and fore- sight to seize it an opportunity now exists for Britain to regain a firm foothold right in the heart of the Middle East and so restore our imperilled lifeline.
The idea is startling in its simplicity, but so far it seems to have escaped our policy-makers. This is it : Britain should invite the sovereign State of Israel to become a member of the British Com- monwealth of Nations.
Now one is well aware of the prima facie objections and obstacles that immediately spring to mind, but they disappear when the proposal is examined care- fully. It will be seen to be eminently practical. It entails no loss of sovereignty by the Republic of Israel which, like India, would accept the Queen, as a symbol of the free association of nations. The gains to ourselves, to Israel and to the world at large arc incalculable. Would not a powerful British base in the Negev—on Empire territory, bear in mind —be the best guarantee of permanent peace and order in this turbulent area of the globe? Clearly it would put an end not only to Nasser's dream of uninterrupted hegemony from Cairo to North Africa but also to his hopes of a victorious war of revanche.
Of course there would be the usual howls of 'Colonialism' and alarums about 'setting the Arab world ablaze,' but by now we arc surely inured to these meaningless bogeys. With firm faith in an act of constructive statesmanship we could ignore these cries of anguish.
And what would the Russians do? Always, it seems, we must ask ourselves what the Russians —and the United Nations—will do when we make any move. Well, conceivably Mr. Bulganin might invite Egypt to become the 125th Soviet in the Communist Empire, but it is easier to imagine Nasser as a good Commissar than visualise the fellaheen as good Stakhanovites! So we need not begrudge Russia the acquisition. More important, how would the State of Israel react to the invitation to become the ninth member of our diminished (Rockall notwithstanding) but still mighty Commonwealth? Unless wisdom is gone from Zion she must welcome the offer with exultation and rejoicing. Surrounded as she is today by a sea of enemies pledged to destroy her, Israel's co- partnership with the British Commonwealth would literally be her salvation. Israel needs a friend among the nations just as sorely as we need a friend in the Middle East. Let us, therefore, pool our needs. We have something to offer each other.
Is there not a sense of Messianic fulfilment in the prospect of Britain and Israel drawn together by a common need, combining to vanquish the Pharaoh who threatened them both?
Surely here is a challenge to enlightened states- manship. A positive dynamic stroke such as this would restore the prestige and leadership of Britain and serve to remind mankind that the moderation of the weak is mediocrity.
Oh, how 'this nation yearns for a lead—and a leader.—Yours faithfully,
MARK GOULDEN
43 Essex Street, WC2 •
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