EDITORIAL: The painful pinch of the Arab oil squeeze is now beginning to be felt in many countries. … While those against whom this new-found weapon is specifically … aimed have naturally to bear the brunt of it, others can … scarcely remain untouched. As target number one the United States of America has naturally been singled out by the Arabs. … Holland shares this dubious distinction with the USA. But the European Common Market members have been spared this ordeal “in appreciation” of their stand. …

The Arabs are trying to define the conditions whose fulfilment will enable consumer countries to graduate into the category of most favoured nations. … These terms are severance of diplomatic relations with Israel, the application of economic sanctions against the Zionist State and/or the supply of arms to the Arabs. … If the circle is widened to include neutral nations, it will be easy for interested quarters to spread the idea that the Arabs are using oil to browbeat the world into submission. Attention should remain focused on the vindication of the just cause in support of which all Arab resources are being mobilised. … Any hint that the hand is being overplayed might do more harm than good.

Published in Dawn, November 22th, 2023