Israel would consider a United States guarantee of Arab non-interference of shipping in the Akaba area as a satisfactory assurance of freedom of navigation in the Gulf of Akaba, informed sources said here today.
In commenting on reactions of Israeli officials to the proposals made by Secretary of State John Foster Dulles to Israeli Ambassador Abba Ebanin Washington yesterday, these sources said Israel still feels that an alternative way out of the present United Nations deadlock on Israeli withdrawal could be the stationing of UN Emergency Forces at Sharmel Sheikh positions until a more permanent solution was reached.
Foreign Ministry officials were explicit in insisting that Israel wants more than the formality of a declaration of non-belligerence from Egypt and demands a declaration from Egypt that non-belligerency means the cessation of the Egyptian blockades of the Gulf of Akaba and the Suez Canal; as well as cessation of fedayeen attacks.
The Israeli officials said that the spirit of the latest General Assembly declaration supported Israel’s stand that measures to prevent the return– the pre-fighting situation should be simultaneous with Israel’s withdrawal. The officials emphasized that Israel was heartened by widespread world support and understanding of her position in the press and by leading political figures.
The Israel Cabinet has discussed the possibility of offering to resettle at Israel’s request a considerable part of the Arab refugees in Gaza, it was learned here today, but no decision has yet been taken. It is understood that Israel’s contribution would be conditioned on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for the Palestine Arabs resettling the rest of the refugees. The number of refugees Israel might be willing to resettle has not been disclosed.
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