Ben Gurion Urges Reestablishment of Security Zones; Says Peace Still Unattained

Discussions on the proposal of the Israeli Government to extend the life of emergency regulations and to reestablish security zones near the borders of the country opened in the Knesset today.

Defending the government proposals, Premier David Ben Gurion pointed out that there is as yet no peace in Israel, adding that “nobody knows when peace will be established.” The government must, therefore, take drastic measures to secure the borders of the Jewish state as well as the safety of all its citizens, Arab and Jew alike, Premier Ben Gurion said.

The government proposal provides for the establishment of security zones ten kilometers wide on the northern borders and 25 kilometers on the southern frontier. No civilians would be permitted to reside in these areas. However, permanent residents would be permitted to remain until ordered to move by the authorities.

The Syrian-Israeli armistice talks continued today in no-man’s-land at Mahanaim. As a result of today’s meeting, two subcommittees began to draft an armistice agreement. The meetings between the Syrian and Israeli representatives will henceforth be held daily.

The technical committee of the U.N. Conciliation Commission, which is now making an on-the-spot survey of the problem of the Arab refugees, met today with Israeli experts and discussed for three hours various plans for bringing about the reunion of Arab families, some members of which are in Israel and the others in neighboring Arab countries as refugees.

High officers of the Israeli Army tonight tendered a banquet to Colonel Ballentine of the U.S. Marine Corps on the occasion of his relinquishing his position on the mixed Israeli-Egyptian armistice commission and assuming the chairmanship of the Israeli-Transjordan armistice commission.