Documents seized during the Israeli raid of December 11 on Syrian outposts on Lake Tiberias conclusively prove that the Syrian shelling of Israel fishermen and patro vessels was carried out on the express orders of the Syrian high command in line with a policy of attempting to establish claims to a portion of the lake, all of which lies within Israel territory. They will be submitted to the Security Council.
This was reported at a press conference here today by Col. Yuval Neeman, deputy director of the Israel Army intelligence Corps. Col. Neeman charged that Syrian artillery posts were actually set up in an area within ten metres (33 feet) from the eastern shore of the lake, recognized by international law and a Mixed Armistice Commission decision as Israel territory.
He produced orders issued by Shuquat Shukeir, Chief of Staff of the Syrian Army, on March 14, 1954, claiming that “Syrian territorial waters in Lake Tiberias should be regarded (extending) 250 metres (850 feet) from shore.” He ordered that “fire should be opened on Israeli vessels entering this limit,” Col. Neeman said.
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