The Israel Government is closely following the present negotiations between Britain and Egypt over the Suez Canal zone, it was indicated here today.
Israel, it is understood, is vitally concerned over two questions involved in the outcome of the negotiations–first, the balance of security for the Jewish State following the agreement that is expected to be reached between Egypt and Britain; secondly, free passage through the Suez Canal. Israel’s view is that the international character of the Suez Canal must be maintained.
Israeli circles here are of the opinion that regardless of the outcome of the Anglo-Egyptian talks, no arms should be supplied to Egypt until the country concludes peace with Israel. (The New York Times today reported that the Israel Government has informed the United States, Britain and France that an agreement for the evacuation of British troops from the Suez Canal military bases would be a threat to the balance of power between the Arab states and Israel,)
Informed UN circles today revealed that while Israel resumed work on the Huleh project in the non-militarized zone on the Israel-Syrian frontier, its representatives are continuing their talks with UN officials on work in the demilitarized zone and would welcome talks on this with the Arab states. Israel’s view, it was emphasized here, is that demilitarized zones should be developed and not left as deserts.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
