Israel Ambassador Abba Eban yesterday sought the support of the State Department for Israel ship passage through the Suez Canal. Mr. Eban discussed the matter with Acting Secretary of State Christian Herter.
Ambassador Eban said Israel views with “anxiety” reports from Cairo that Egypt will continue to ban Israel shipping when the Suez Canal is reopened. He delivered a letter from Israel Foreign Minister Golda Meir expressing appreciation for American consideration of Israel’s problems in recent weeks and summarizing Israel’s current position and apprehensions.
Referring to Suez passage, Mr. Eban cited President Eisenhower’s February 20 expression in which the President said the United States assumed Egypt would not prevent Israel transit through the Canal or through the Strait of Tiran. In the Israel view, Mr. Eban said. Egypt had received United Nations help in clearing the Canal and now plans to resume operations without respecting Israel’s maritime rights.
The question of a resumption of U. S. economic aid to Israel was also discussed. Such aid has been held up by the United States since Israel’s Sinai campaign.
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