To a certain degree Arabs have the tie of language—the classical Arabic of the Koran, but there are in fact wide differences between dialects. More important is their religion with a common centre in Mecca, but there too, they are split into many widely [unclear: senarate] creeds. They bear a general grudge against the colonialism from which they have all suffered, but it is the thorn in their sides', the issue of Israel, which really draws them together.

The present problem is derived from the conflicts and differences in 1948/49. The British left Palestine in a state of flux—no one was quite sure what the situation was. The Israeli-Arab war ended in an armistice unacceptable to most. Arab propaganda seized on the masacre of Deir Yassin by a group of Israeli irregulars to persuade nearly a million Arabs to flee Israel. Now out of Israel's population of 1,800,000, there are only 200,000 Arabs.

Armistice Violated

"Egypt has refused to accept the possibility of peace." Despite Article 3 of the Armistice that any country calling for a peace conference should be accepted by the other party, Israeli overtures were always rejected. Since 1949 there was a constant pattern of commando raids, especially from the Gaza Strip, which was increasing last year. Egypt would not settle her refugees but used them to stir up trouble. There was a move towards Arab unification with the possibility of a combined attack against the Jewish State.

Israel was, moreover, needing more and more to find a direct route to the East to redress its unfavourable balance of trade. Accordingly it launched a preventive war with Egypt—with the positive gain that as a result the approach to Eilath was freed and the Arabs divided.

Western-Type Dem.

"Israel is a democracy in the sense which we know it in New Zealand, with some limitations." It is run on the form of complete proportional representation—without separate constituencies. At first this meant that there were as many as 28 parties, but now there are only six major forces in the country and some minor parties. The main governing party is the Mapai, which is the equivalent of the Labour Party. It is not ultrasocialist, but combines Marxist. Fabian and other influences. The second major party is the Mapam, which is an orthodox Marxist party. There are extreme reactionaries, Arabs and religious blocs as well. It is important to realise that divisions in Israel are built up to a great extent on ideologies and principles.

It is essentially a semi-socialist state, and the only state in the Middle East with universal suffrage for both sexes.

Movement to Holy Land

There has always been a Jewish population in Palestine, and in the 1800's there was a marked increase in the movement towards the "Holy I and". in the early twentieth century the country was agriculturally in a mess. Gradually settlements haphazardly grew up on a communal basis and the land was transformed. From these early settlements have developed the various communes which make up modern Israel. Even the children are brought up communally and only see their parents in leisure hours. Despite appearances this is in fact "the most beneficial system of organising children in the world," Parent-child relationship is the happiest possible. The children, moreover, receive an excellent education.

Terrific Culture

Despite its small population. Israel shows a vigorous cultural and intellectual life: orchestras, three professional theatre groups, opera, folkdancing and classical ballet, a press ten times better than that of New Zealand. A notable feature is that in the settlements, artists, musicians, etc., apart from teaching, can give all their time to creative work.

This brief survey, by Colin Bickler, at a recent Social Democrat Society meeting, gave the impression that in its few years of existence. Israel has shown its worth and proved that in many ways it has justified its existence. Mr. Bickler returned to New Zealand recently from a 15-month stay in Israel, and is now studying at V.U.C.