Israel Issues at U.N. May Be Affected by Revolts in Egypt and Syria

The question of the extent to which Israel problems now under discussion at the United Nations will be affected by the revolutions which have taken place during the last 24 hours in Egypt and Syria, and the effects of these revolutions on Jordan and other Arab countries was today a subject of wide discussion in United Nations circles here.

Pending before the United Nations now is Israel’s complaint against Egypt’s blockade of the Suez Canal, the dispute between Israel and Syria over the Jordan River waters, and the anticipated reply from Amman as to whether the Jordan Government will accept the invitation of the UN Secretary General for direct talks with Israel to take place in Jerusalem.

The fall of Premier Naguib in Egypt will not have any immediate effect on the Security Council debate on Israel’s complaint against Egypt, it is generally believed here. However, in some UN circles there was reluctance today to predict when the debate –which was adjourned yesterday to await a resolution on Israel’s complaint–will be resumed. It is known that Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser, Egypt’s new dictator, is inclined to be less cooperative with the Western powers than was Gen. Naguib and that he also favors a more aggressive policy on the Suez Canal.

The revolt against the Shishekly regime in Syria, it is believed here, may improve the possibilities for Gen. Vagn Bennike, head of the UN Palestine Armistice Commission, to secure an Israel-Syrian understanding on the Jordan River waters. Col. Shishekly has been the most aggressive among the Arab rulers with regard to Israel. Gen. Bennike is under instructions from the UN Security Council to report back within 90 days on his attempt to mediate on the spot the dispute between Israel and Syria.

As a result of the revolts in Egypt and Syria it is expected here that the Jordan Cabinet may also face a serious crisis on the eve of its reply to the UN invitation to meet with Israel. While it is known that some members of the Jordan Cabinet favor the acceptance of the invitation, others are definitely opposed to it. Under the provisions of the armistice agreement, Jordan must accept the invitation. However, yesterday–before the news of the revolutions in Egypt and Syria became known–Jordan announced that it would seek the advice of the Arab League nations on this.