The Israel Cabinet, in an extraordinary meeting last night, reaffirmed Israel’s stand of opposition to withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and Gulf of Akaba positions without effective guarantees. The Cabinet acted after hearing a report on the talks between Abba Eban, Israeli Ambassador to the United States, and Dag Hammarskjold, Secretary General of the United Nations.
The effective guarantees sought were described as assurances of freedom of navigation in the Gulf of Akaba and the Tiran Straits and administrative links with Gaza. The official communique said only that instructions were sent to Israel representatives at the UN without disclosing the instructions. Informed sources said the Cabinet considers United Nations handling of the problem as completely deadlocked.
The Cabinet meeting took place against a background of continuing United States pressure including a message from Washington to Prime Minister David Ben Gurion urging speedy withdrawal. The letter, whose signer was not revealed, was handed to the Prime Minister at a secret meeting a few days ago.
MASS DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST U.S. PRESSURE TO BE HELD THROUGHOUT ISRAEL
The Cabinet was understood to have been exceedingly disturbed by a message from Mr Hammarskjold that he wanted an Israeli reply by last midnight on whether troops would be withdrawn from Egyptian territory. While the members of the government did not interpret Mr. Hammarskjold’s request as an ultimatum, they questioned the propriety of his setting a time limit for the reply.
Israel will not accept any assurances from Col. Nasser of Egypt on its demands for security guarantees, insisting that the UN General Assembly must be a partner to any such guarantees, it was indicated here today.
All Israeli parties, except the Communist, have scheduled for Saturday protest rallies and demonstrations in cities, towns and villages against United Nations attempts to force Israel to yield on Gaza and Akaba without adequate guarantees against renewed Egyptian belligerence.
The meetings are intended to demonstrate the nationwide support behind the government’s refusal to yield to U.S. pressure and threats of sanctions. Members of the Cabinet will address rallies of the various parties in this city and elsewhere. The average Israeli has become increasingly bitter against the mounting United States pressure on Israel, which is interpreted not as an attempt to back up the UN but a move in the game of power politics.
Sheikh Suleiman el Hussiel, chief of the Bedouin tribesmen living in Israel, has written President Eisenhower assuring the President that the Arabs living in the Gaza Strip are happier now than under Egyptian military rule. After a visit to the Strip, Sheikh Suleiman appealed to Mr. Eisenhower to back Israel in its insistence on remaining in Gaza. “The Arabs in the Gaza Strip are happier than under the Egyptians,” he wrote, “and their prospects for the future are brighter.”
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