Israel today asked for an emergency meeting of the Israel-Syrian Mixed Armistice Commission to discuss the Syrian slaying this morning of an Israel tractor driver.
The slain tractor driver was Joseph Benchaim, 30, of Shaar Yushav who was injured when Syrians on a fortification near Tel Azaziat opened fire on a group of men who hart started land reclamation work for the Jewish National Fund on the slopes of Tel Azaziat. Benchaim was extricated under fire and taken to the hospital where he died shortly after arrival.
The armistice commission met ten days ago on a similar incident and an informal understanding was reached and announced by the commission chairman permitting civilian work even in demilitarized areas and committing both countries to avoiding the use of force along the border.
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.
