Abbie Nathan Barred from Leaving Israel in Income Tax Dispute

Abbie Nathan, Israel’s one-man unofficial “peace mission,” was barred from leaving the country yesterday because of unpaid income tax amounting to IL 40,000. Mr. Nathan returned home two weeks ago to liquidate his property in order to finance the operation of his “peace ship” which has been berthed at a New York City pier for more than a year. The internal revenue bureau claims that Nathan has paid no income tax on his property since 1965. He gained international fame for two solo flights into Egypt to persuade President Nasser to negotiate peace with Israel. He was promptly expelled on both occasions. Latterly Mr. Nathan was involved in the Biafran relief movement,

His “peace ship,” a former Dutch coaster donated by private parties and now registered in Panama, was intended to cruise the Eastern Mediterranean beaming “peace messages” to Israel and the Arab countries. But Mr. Nathan needs money for shortwave radio equipment and a crew. One of his properties here is the Cafe California which became popular at the time of his flights to Egypt and is now frequented mainly by a Bohemian crowd.