In the absence of the Israeli representatives, who are still boycotting the UN body, the Egyptian-Israeli Mixed Armistice Commission last night adopted a resolution severely condemning Israel for allegedly trespassing Egyptian air space.
The MAC resolution, drawn up by the Egyptians, charged that Israel has committed 16 violations of Egyptian air space in the last two months, alleging that Israel is “showing a disturbing increase in this dangerous activity.”
The resolution refers specifically to the occurrences of December 20 when, according to Israel, a covey of eight Egyptian-operated, Russian-made MIG-17 jet aircraft penetrated Israeli air space over the Sinai desert. According to an Israeli announcement at that time, Israeli airmen shot down one of the MIGs. The resolution concedes that, on December 20, “Israeli and United Arab Republic aircraft were involved in air combat,” but claims that this fight took place over “Egyptian territory.”
Israel has been boycotting the Egyptian-Israeli Mixed Armistice Commission since prior to the Sinai campaign in the Fall of 1956, contending that it is useless to attend meetings of the Commission until Egypt drops its illegal claim of a “right of belligerence.”
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