Israel’s unqualified opposition to the apartheid program of the South African Government and to the “illegal regime” in Rhodesia was reaffirmed here today by Joel Barromi, Israel’s delegate to the General Assembly’s Special Political Committee.
Speaking in debate on the South African apartheid policy, Mr. Barromi declared that Israel and the Jewish people reacted “instinctively” against the apartheid program as a threat not only against Africa, or against any given race but one against all mankind.
He said that to be a citizen of Israel “means to take a position” in the struggle against racial discrimination. As far as Israel is concerned, he told the committee, its place is in the “anti-racist front,” which is the front of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Israel, he said, hoped that all members of the United Nations would be ready to make the sacrifices necessary to meet the challenge. He reported that on November 13, Israel advised the Security Council of its decision not to recognize “the illegal regime” of Rhodesia and to take immediate steps to sever ties with the breakaway regime of Ian Smith economically “or otherwise.” He also said that Israel was ready to “consider earnestly” any proposal for further “serious and responsible international action.”
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