so far not responded to the request of Ambassador Jarring that it should give a commitment on withdrawal “Mr. Abba Eban keeps declaring that the best way to a settlement is direct negotiations between Israel and its neighbours. It is a fact, however, that the Arabs refused such negotiations for the same reason that Israel proposed them: in direct negotiations, Israel has the advantage of playing out to the full the weight of a military 4 occupation, while the Arabs do not have the advantage of bringing into the play their economic and political influence throughout the world.” 39. The Arabs have a genuine fear of the expansionist nature of Israel. That fear existed from the early days of the conflict, and has accumulated throughout the years as irrefutable evidence of Israel’s expansionism demonstrated itself. Not only had Israel sought to expand into areas. assigned to the Palestine Arab State before the outbreak of the war on 15 May 1948, but it actually made its greatest territorial gains in that period during the second and permanent truce which the United Nations had established. On 14 October 1948, Israel deliberately mounted its offensives in the Negev and in the Galilee areas despite the United Nations permanent truces in order to conquer more land and to expand as much as possible. That campaign was called the “tenth plague”. 40. Acting Mediator Ralph Bunche reported to the United Nations [S/l042 of 18 October 1948 and S/1071 of 6 November 19481 that the offensives had been deliberately planned by Israel and were completely unjustified, despite Israeli claims to the contrary. The Security Council had met to consider the matter and on 4 November 1948 had adopted resolution 61 (1948) calling for respect of the truce and an Israeli withdrawal to the 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing political tensions and conflicts in the Middle East, specifically between Israel and its neighbors. It highlights the fear of expansionism and the refusal of direct negotiations, suggesting a complex and sensitive topic. Given the focus on international relations, politics, and historical events, it is likely that the text falls under a category related to international relations.

**Category**
International relations