Security Council Postpones Action on Palestine; Austin Censures Arab Delegations

The U.N. Security Council which was called into urgent session today by Egypt to hear charges of aggression against Israel adjourned until Thursday following a brief meeting.

The session was adjourned by Warren R. Austin, president of the Council, in the face of repeated demands by Arab delegates that the Council take immediate action against Israel. In response to a challenge by the Egyptian delegate, Austin declared: “In due time and after proper consideration the Security Council will act. But it cannot be lashed into action by charges of bias.”

After a medley of Arab voices had accused the Israelis of aggression against the Arabs and of breaking the truce, Israeli representative Aubrey S. Eban told the Council that Egypt had brought on the people of Palestine the “grim consequences of bombardment, bloodshed and fighting.” He challenged particularly Egypt’s profession of a claim to the Negev, which he said was part of the sovereign state of Israel.

Eban asserted that now, following Israeli troops forcing the Egyptians to halt fighting, the situation in the Negev was quiet end it was possible for the Jews and Egyptians to negotiate a peaceful settlement directly, as ordered by the Council. He said the threat to peace now lay in the action of the Lebanese forces in the north, rather than in the south.

In a brief statement read to the Council, acting mediator Dr. Ralph Bunche said he had informed both the Jews and Egyptians of the Council request that they withdraw their forces back to the original truce lines. Neither has yet replied, he reported, adding that he hoped for an answer shortly. The adjournment motion was made by Britain’s Sir Alexander Cadogan following Bunche’s statement that he expected further information from Palestine.

At this morning’s session, the Egyptian, Lebanese and Syrian representatives hurled new accusations of truce breaking against Israel. The Arabs even attempted to lay the guilt for the latest Lebanese assaults against Jewish positions to the door of Israel.