Israel charged today that the Security Council debate on the situation in the administered territories, convened at the request of Egypt, was “part of the opening salvo in the annual Arab-inspired preoccupation of the United Nations with Israel.”
A statement issued by the Israel UN Mission prior to the opening of the debate this afternoon, stated that Egypt’s request had nothing to do with the situation in the administered territories but “is simply the result of yet another shift in inter-Arab rivalry.”
The statement asserted that the Egyptian initiative was taken against the background of repeated Arab efforts “to inflame Moslem religious feelings, specifically at a time coinciding with international conferences, such as the General Assembly.”
The statement referred to the Hebron incidents in September, claiming that the disturbances there resulted from provocations by the Arab states and certain Moslem religious leaders. It noted that the Tomb of the Patriarchs, the scene of desecrations on Yom Kippur, was reopened to worshippers of all faiths several days before Egypt’s request for a debate and that life in Hebron has returned to normal. Israel charged Egypt with a renewed attempt to incite religious feelings in that area.
Jordan and Egypt were on today’s speakers’ list. The Palestine Liberation Organization is participating in the debate. Israel is also participating but was not scheduled to speak today.
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