The United Nations Security Council conferred today to hear a complaint against Israel arising out of the Aug. 21 fire at the Al Aksa mosque in East Jerusalem. Israel’s Ambassador Yosef Tekoah told the Council that Israel deeply regretted the blaze at Islam’s third holiest shrine, which an Australian youth belonging to a Fundamentalist Christian sect has confessed to having set. Mr. Tekoah pointed out that most of the mosque was not damaged and that prayers have continued. He said that Israel is willing to shoulder the cost of repairs and is willing to work with Moslem authorities from abroad.
Israel was criticized in connection with the fire by envoys from Egypt, Indonesia and Pakistan in the opening debate. The Council will meet again tomorrow.
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