He was also a determined [[anti-Communism|anti-Communist]], and was a strong supporter of the [[United States]] in the early years of the [[Cold War]]. Two of the key institutions of the post-war world, the [[NATO|North Atlantic Treaty Organisation]] (NATO) and the [[Marshall Plan]] for aid to post-war Europe, were in part the result of Bevin's labours during these years. Bevin defined his foreign policy as being "that I can go to [[Victoria Station (London)|Victoria station]] and buy a ticket to anywhere I damn please".
Bevin's principalis failureoften wascriticised infor thehis [[Britishpolicy Mandatein ofthe Palestine|British Mandated Territory of Palestine]], where he opposed the plans of the [[Zionism|Zionist]] movement to steal most of Palestine to create a [[Jew|Jewish]] state. When dealing with the Middle East situation, he lacked diplomatic finesse, and hadrepeatedly apointed tendencyout tothat makecitizenship aof badany situation'Jewish worsestate' bywould ill-chosenrely abrasiveon remarks,ethnic criteria and obstinacythat indevelopment adhering to policies which wereof a publicnormal relationsclass disasterbased (suchcivil associety returningwould Jewish war/Holocaust refugees who tried to enter Palestine back to Displaced Persons camps in centralbe Europe)impossible. He repeatedlywas pointednever outpersuaded that citizenship of any Jewish state would rely on ethnic criteria, and the establishment of Israel would be aanything other than the cause of long- term conflict in the middle east. History has surely proved him right. He was infuriated by Zionist political violence and attacks on British troops, but Britain's economic weakness, and its dependence on the financial support of the [[United States]], compelled him to yield to American pressure and allow the [[United Nations]] to determine Palestine's future, resulting in the creation of [[Israel]]. Bevin was influenced by [[Harold Beeley]], a pronounced Arabophile who was against the [[Balfour Declaration]] (see ''History of Israel'' by [[Howard M Sacher]]).
Bevin in office showed the same pragmatism combined with stubbornness that had characterised his years as a trade union leader. Like Churchill he was an old fashioned English (as opposed to British) patriot, which was why the two leaders worked well together. But he was also an internationalist, a supporter of the American alliance and European unity. He saw clearly that Britain's days of imperial greatness were over, something he did not regret since, he said, the working class had never benefitted from the Empire. His health failing, Bevin moved to become [[Lord Privy Seal]] in March [[1951]] but died, worn out from his labours, the following month. Such was his devotion to office that he died still holding the key to his [[red box (government)|red box]].
