American Zionist leaders today expressed their “warm appreciation” to Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr., head of the United States delegation to the United Nations, for his recent statement in the UN Security Council on the question of the Egyptian blockade of the Suez Canal against Israel and the seizure by Egypt of the Israel vessel “Bat Galim.” The Security Council will resume discussion of this issue tomorrow.
The letter expressing the sentiment of the American Zionist movement was sent to Mr. Lodge by Rabbi Philip S. Bernstein, chairman of the American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs. It congratulated him on “the firm and positive position” taken by the U.S. delegation that “Egyptian restrictions on ships passing through the Suez Canal, whether bound to or from Israel, or whether flying the Israeli or some other flag, are inconsistent with the spirit and intent of the Egyptian-Israeli General Armistice Agreement, contrary to the Security Council resolution of September 1, 1951, and a retrogression from the stated objectives both sides committed themselves to in signing the armistice agreement.”
Pointing out that “this stand is of particular importance at this time, in view of Egypt’s historic obligations to the international community as the custodian of the Canal and also pursuant to the recent Anglo-Egyptian agreement,” Rabbi Bernstein said in his letter: “We share your view that one had a right to expect in the United Nations that the years following the cessation of armed conflict would have shown greater progress towards the establishment of general peace between Egypt and Israel.
“Accordingly, we hope that our delegation’s position, insisting on Egypt’s compliance, will promote an early settlement of the immediate issue in question. The amicable solution of this problem would indeed give cause for optimism for a reduction of the tensions now existing between Egypt and Israel. “It is gratifying to have your reaffirmation that the United States intends to continue to use its best efforts in the Security Council to achieve this end.”
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