The Egyptian-Israeli Mixed Armistice Commission today rejected an Egyptian demand for modification of frontiers in the southern desert that would give Egypt direct access to Jordan territory, now prevented by Israeli control of an intervening strip of territory.
Maj. J. K. Gray, of the United Nations truce supervision staff, voted with Israel at the Commission meeting, at Audja el Hafir, against the Egyptian demand, originally filed with the Commission last June. The Commission noted that to accede to this demand would endanger Israel’s position in Elath, its port on the Gulf of Akaba. The chairman of the Commission declared that the division of the Negev must be maintained under the armistice agreement until “there is no possibility of further military activity in the area.” Egypt is expected to appeal from this decision to the special committee provided for in the armistice agreement.
The Commission, with the U.N. chairman voting with the Egyptians, also ruled that the Commission should decide which of the 2,000 Bedouins who formerly resided in Migdal, in Israel territory, should be allowed to return and be restored to their rights and property. Israel protested this decision pointing out that the previous U.N. chairman had ruled that the Egyptian complaint should be withdrawn. The Israeli delegates described the decision as “unjust, absurd and beyond the authority of the Mixed Armistice Commission” and an interference in Israel’s internal affairs.
The U.N. chairman also voted with Egypt for repatriation to Israel territory of 7,000 Bedouins of the Azazmeh tribe, rejecting the Israel contention that the Egyptians had forcibly driven 4,000 of the tribesmen over the frontier into Israel territory and that they should be returned to Egyptian territory. Two motions concerning this were put to the vote despite Israel’s request for postponement pending recommendations by Maj. Gen. William E. Riley, U.N. Chief of Staff, in accordance with the Security Council resolution adopted November 17. Israel gave notice of appeal from these decisions.
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