Civilian Housing Stated for Sharm El-sheikh; Seen As Israel’s Intention to Remain

Housing Minister Zev Sharef disclosed today that civilian housing is being built at Sharm el-Sheikh the strongpoint at the southern tip of Sinai occupied by Israel in the 1967 war. That disclosure and Sharef’s announcement that a new settlement to be called Hitnahalut will be built astride the Eilat-Sharm el-Sheikh road some 50 miles south of Eilat, was seen by observers here as serving notice on the Arabs that Israel has no intention of ever withdrawing from Sharm el-Sheik. Sharef said the new housing was in an “advanced stage” but gave no other details. He told newsmen that the housing would be open to anyone who wanted to settle there. He said the most likely candidates would be Army officers and workers employed at Sharm el-Sheikh.

Israeli leaders have insisted that Israel must retain Sharm el-Sheikh and an overland link to it no matter what final peace settlement is reached with Egypt. The strongpoint commands the Gulf of Tiran, Eilat’s only access to the sea. The Eilat-Sharm el-Sheikh road was recently completed. The Israeli government has encouraged local and foreign investors to construct tourist facilities at Sharm el-Sheikh and along the road. Observers said Sharef doubtlessly cleared today’s disclosure with the government before he met with newsmen. They said it was probably intended to make Israel’s position on Sharm el-Sheikh doubly clear in light of the new federation of Egypt, Libya and Syria announced in Cairo over the weekend. Sharef also reported that the first house built for Jewish settlers in the West Bank town of Hebron would be handed over to its tenants next month. It will house 12 families. He said that one house will be completed each-month beginning next September.