The Israel-chartered Danish ship Brigitte Toft docked at Suez today at the southern entrance of the Suez Canal and was immediately boarded by armed Egyptian sailors and customs officials. The ship is bound for Haifa with a cargo of rice and copra from Burma. The Toft is flying a Danish flag.
There is no word as to whether the cargo or ship will be allowed through the canal. Egyptian authorities said only that they have begun an investigation of the ship’s cargo and papers. Meanwhile, an Egyptian report said Rafi Eilon, an Israeli sailor, was arrested aboard the ship.
A dispatch from Suez said the ship’s agents already had paid the canal tolls in free pounds sterling in preparation for the transit. Since the Brigitte Toft does not carry the Israeli flag the test is regarded by Israel as “unofficial.”
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