Israel and the New Nation States of Asia and Africa

Abstract

A lack of awareness of the facts of Jewish history on the part of many Asians has made it possible for many Asian countries to believe that the Jewish national revival was the work of imperialist intruders. Recently, however, their an tagonism towards Israel has undergone a profound change. Beginning with the significant agreement between the Burmese and Israel delegations at the Asian Socialist Conference, a steady growth of co-operation between Israel and many Asian and African countries has been taking place. This has taken three chief forms: the placing of Israel experts at the disposal of other governments; the training of foreign personnel within Israel; and the foundation of joint economic enterprise. Such countries as Burma, Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, India, Ceylon, South Vietnam, and the Philippines have been finding increas ingly that both the experience of the Israel technician and the example of the Israel democracy are applicable to their own problems. Israel provides for them both an example of the possibilities open to a young and poor nation and a source of technical aid which involves no deep commitment to a great industrial power. To young countries afraid of the West be cause of its recent identification with colonialism and equally afraid of following the Russian model, such a contribution is a vital one.